Are You a Tour Guide or a Local? Part 3

Running to the edge of the cliff, the roaring increased. Paul had jumped into the waterfall. The commercial was right: This is going to change my life forever. Shawn took a gander at the multitudes of people enjoying the waterfall. There were thousands of people all in the pool at the bottom of the falls. There were people laughing and playing in the water. There were people on the shore cooking up some steaks. There were people playing music and singing about the waterfall. It was almost cult-like, but there was something intriguing about it. Well, when in Rome! Shawn jumped. He free fell for about six seconds before hitting the water and being doused in the cool blue waves. He swam to the top and took a deep breath. This truly is the best water I have ever been in. Oh yeah! Taste and see! He took a big gulp. And another. "Good God Almighty! This is the best tasting water I have ever had!"

Shawn swam to the side and crawled out. He started talking with the people around the falls. Paul had disappeared, so he thought he would try to get to know some people while he was here for the week. Shawn made the rounds, got a steak, made some new friends, and laid down to take a nap. When he woke up, Paul was sitting next to him.

"Gorgeous ain't it?"

"Sure is", Shawn confirmed. "How often do you come here?"

"All's I do is git people to come here. It's my job." Paul replied as if he had the most important job in the world.

"What do you mean?"

"Every week I bring someone new out heres. People see the ads about the beauty of this place, and I bring 'em out."

"So you're a tour guide?"

"Nosir. I used to live here. I'm a local", Paul corrected gently.

"Are all of these people locals?"

"Nope. You can tell the ones who are tour guides. The locals have set up camp. They’re here for until that day. They are dedicated to this place above all else in life. They have tasted and seen. They ain't going nowheres." Paul went on, "The tour guides, they have all the right clothes on, they know the lingo, they bring all the right people here, but they never get in the water. They just sit around and talk to their friends about how great it is, but they have only experienced that first jump. They know all about the secret caves underneath the falls and the depth of the water. They can tell you how long it's been here and all of the interesting people that have come by to see 'em. It's almost creepy. If you just visit, you'd never be able to tell. If you stay here long enough though, you'll see 'em."

"Why would anyone ever leave this place? Or, and I'm going to one-up you with this one, why not get in and just stay in?" Shawn queried.

"Oh, everyone has their own excuse. No matter how much you tell them about the life these falls give, they just won't git in." Paul grew agitated. "I've tried persaudin' 'em many times, they just don't listen. Some of 'em do though. There are certain times when the man that created these falls comes down and changes them. That's when they git in and really taste and see.  On those days, we have a huge party.  Lots of dancing and singing.  We drink wine and eat bread and remember the day that these falls were created.  We also celebrate the day when we all get to go home.”

The End

So here's my question: Are you a tour guide or a local? Do you get in the water and taste and see that the Lord is good and gracious and mighty? Or are you content to sit on the side with your hamburger and reminisce about the one day you took the plunge? Are you content with only being able to describe Jesus? Why not really know him?