How often do you get led down a rabbit hole, only to see the rabbit get away? How often do you think "this might be the one" only to find that no, it wasn't the "one?" How frequently do you accept the best advice from the well-meaning people in your life; only to find that it was poor advice? How often do you run down that metaphorical rabbit hole, seeking a shoulder to lean on, just to find that shoulder to be part of a human-shaped ice sculpture that leaves you cold? One last question: how often have you been led down that rabbit hole just to find a wolf staring back at you?

We live our lives on thin ice, and yet we continue to skate toward the other side of the pond. We have to keep skating, or else we may be overtaken by the wolves that chased us out of the rabbit hole and onto this potentially dangerous ice.

It is sunset now as you find yourself ice skating on a wilderness pond surrounded by tall, aromatic pine trees. On the other side of the pond is a log cabin with a warm fire crackling in the fireplace. Hanging from a pole over that flame is a pot full of water that is gently simmering to a boil. On a small wooden center table set before the fireplace in the living room are mugs containing instant cocoa mix waiting for that blast of bubbling water to be poured in; creating steaming, delicious hot chocolate. But -- what is even warmer than the fire and that satisfying belly-warming chocolate elixir is the love that is filling the living room.

Oh, but your legs are aching with fatigue. The wolves' paws are slipping and sliding on the ice behind you, but they are gaining purchase and catching up. It's an entire pack of the howling, snarling creatures - and it seems that if they had a life's goal it would be to catch and devour you. Mixed into the cacophony of yelping and growling is a new sound; the sound of cracking ice.

Why did you let "them" with the seemingly good advice lead you down that rabbit hole? Who would ever have thought that a rabbit hole would become a cave -- and in that cave would be hungry wolves? All you ever wanted was to be loved and appreciated. Like most everyone else, you desired wealth, security, and perhaps a degree of fame -- but mostly, you craved a genuine and lasting love that would endure time and all of the curveballs that life would pitch. Your heart has been ripped and patched together so many times that it looks like that old, care-worn teddy bear from your childhood. You know the one I speak of; he slept with you every night and kept you safe from the monsters in your closet. On those cold winter nights when there weren't enough blankets on your bed, you clutched Teddy tightly and he kept you warm. You cried on the first day of school because Teddy couldn't come with you. But, wasn't he in your heart all through the school day? And, wasn't he there waiting for you when you returned home? He was always faithful and true, even when you outgrew him and cast him aside. And now, in your darkest hour, you long for that teddy bear to protect you from the toothy, rabid, frothy-mouthed creatures that are worse than the very worst monster in your closet.

You don't recall tying on ice skates and yet they've replaced the boots on your feet. How did that happen? You've got to get to that cabin and quickly. Boy, doesn't that cabin look wonderful! You don't need to look back to know what is gaining on you. You're afraid to look down to see that thin ice cracking. No, as your legs and chest ache your focus is drawn more intensely on that cabin. You can see the living room and fireplace through the windows. The light that emanates through the windows is warm and you focus on it and it strengthens you. The mugs are there in plain sight on the center table and you can almost taste the chocolate as it caresses your taste buds on the way to your stomach. Tears are streaming down your face and making steam in the chilly, winter evening air. You thought you were a responsible adult on top of your game -- large and in charge -- but now you want your teddy. Crack! Crack! Ow, the pain! You feel icy cold wet numbness flooding your right foot and shin. "Ahhhh" you wail out! There are powerful jaws laden with razor-sharp canine teeth sinking into your left calf with a burning, intense, excruciating pain...

As you begin to feel faint, your eyes get drawn to the upper room of the cabin -- and reaching it has become your most immediate goal. Like the living room, it's windows emit a warm, inviting light that gives you a sense of focus, determination, and will. You have to get there! Through that upper window, clearly through your blurred vision, you can see an antique rocking chair that has been repainted and restored. On that chair is sitting...could it be...yes, it's Teddy! You reach toward him with your failing strength as you begin to sink into the frigid water. You are losing consciousness...Teh..ehhh...ehhhdy....hellllllllllpuh...

Your descent is stopped by a strong hand that grabs your right wrist. Firm and warm is the grip as concurrently air refills your lungs. Through your diminishing haziness you can hear the painful screech of frightened wolves beating a hasty retreat on the cracking ice. The monsters from your childhood closet retreat with the wolves and now you know that those monsters could have never hurt you...not ever.

Two strong arms carry you out of the water and up the snowy bank toward the cabin. You now know that these arms will be your place of strength, safety, and rest -- and haven't they always been that? You know who these arms belong to. After all, as grown up as you are, don't you now know that you are truly just a child who needs a father?

It wasn't Teddy who kept those monsters away. It wasn't Teddy who was always faithful and true -- even when you were too grown up to be. No, it wasn't your teddy bear that waited for you and loved you with a love sweeter than the sweetest chocolate. It wasn't Teddy that knew you would head down that rabbit hole and likewise knew that you'd need those ice skates. Teddy was a wonderful friend, but it wasn't him who saved your life.

It was Jesus.

The clock is ticking, the ice is cracking and the wolves are gaining. While the closet monsters can't hurt you, the wolves can destroy you. Jesus will save you now and for eternity. Please call out for Him.