The sign read; “Beware, Land Mines on site.” I walked gingerly on. I knew I was on the right path. My guide made sure I understood the instructions, and I promised I would be careful to read the signposts and obey them to the letter.
It was getting dark, and even though I had my camp light, it was nothing compared to daylight. My guide warned me not to presume I knew what I was doing as the site could be very dangerous.
As I was pondering whether to put my foot on the huge stone or navigate around it, I heard the familiar voice (Dad had told me that even if he was not physically present, he would send me a guide who would let me into everything I needed to know).
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying; This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. ( Isaiah 30:21)
I paused to listen, and he said; "sit down, I have a few things to tell you."
I took my seat on the large boulder, reached into my backpack, and brought out my pen and notebook. (It is not my first time of receiving instructions like that and I have come to cherish those moments.)
He began the instructions with a question, "I hope you have not stood as a guarantor for anybody's debts?"
My response was that I had done so for my best friend. She desperately needed bank loans to bail her out of an unfortunate predicament. She ordered goods that ran into millions of dollars, and they got seized by the customs. The goods were not contraband, but they were too close to expiry, and according to the law, those were not acceptable. Her business was adversely affected, and she ran the risk of going under. All I did was secure her loan with the bank. As far as I was concerned, I was rescuing a friend from drowning.
"My son, you just walked into a trap, you have been on this journey for a couple of days now. I thought we agreed that you would read the signposts and abide by what they said"
"I did but did not notice anyone that spoke explicitly guaranteeing loans for others."
"what if your friend is not able to repay the loan? What do you think will happen, who do you think will be indebted?'
I had not thought of it like that before, but now that he was bringing it up, I suddenly became afraid.
"Son, indebtedness makes a slave out of you, and believe me, it is a ruthless slave master. Do whatever is in your power to stay out of his grip."
"All I did was guarantee my friend's loan!"
“No son, you did a lot more than that. You put your life on the line, do you not know that money is what you get in exchange for your time and time is life?"
"That simple signature on the piece of paper secured your bondage, and for your sake, I pray it is not for life. "
"Was I supposed to let my friend drown when I could help?'
"No, do you not know that securing a loan is the same as you borrowing?'
"So, what should I do?"
"Run to your friend, beg him/her to release you. Get out as fast as you can. Escape like a bird running out of a snare or the deer out of the hunter's range. Next time, only give what you can afford, do not attempt to spend money that does not belong to you (that is what you do when you borrow money. It belongs to someone else)"
Lesson learned, I made to leave, and I was directed to go by the trail that I would not have chosen if left alone.
Some five yards in, there was a sign: "ANTS PARADISE...Stop and learn."
What can the ant have to teach a human being? " just watch them," I heard the voice say.
"The ant has a thing or two to teach the lazy man. Just think it is small, has no leader, no chief, no ruler. Yet it knows to store up food in summertime. It knows that weather conditions in winter would be adverse, so it prepares both food and shelter for the time it cannot go out in search of food. Tell the lazy man, if he does not get out of the bed, he would surely end up in lack and want".
"Tell liars to stop peddling wicked lies. Tell them to stop all the evil plans. If they refuse, they will be the casualty...
