Cultivation Is Serious, We Can't Fall Short

(Minghui.org) I recently saw an animated series entitled “Life-Time Thought-Provoking Cartoon” on the NTD Television website. It goes like this: (My interpretations are in parenthesis)

1. A long time ago, God created humans. God had everyone carry a heavy cross and head to the Holy Land under His direction, slowly and arduously over the long journey of their lives. (God arranged a path for humans to return to Heaven.)

2. One man stopped in the middle of the journey and thought, “This cross is so heavy! How long will it take to carry it?” (The human mentality emerged. He started to seek comfort.)

3. So, the man made a decision to cut the cross down a little. (He used his cleverness in cultivation matters in order to reduce what he had to endure, which was against God's will.)

4. As time went by, he kept cutting the cross shorter and shorter. (It is foolish to fall short of God's requirement.)

5. The cross indeed felt lighter after the man cut it down, and he was able to pick up his pace. (He gained benefits in this world.)

6. The man continued to walk for a long time.

7. He thought, “Lord, please let me cut it down a little more--then I will be able to carry it better.” (He started to negotiate about God's will.”

8. He cut a little more off.

9. He felt much lighter now. (He felt proud of himself.)

10. He easily got ahead of the others. While others had to strive forward under their heavy load, he hummed as he walked along.

11. Then a deep ravine appeared in front of him, and there was no bridge or road around it. Nothing could save him. What could he do? (Unexpected tribulation)

12. The others caught up. They put their crosses down across the ravine and used them as bridges to walk across. (Those who followed God's direction solidly do not have any problems they can't overcome.)

13. He wanted to do as they did; however, his cross had been cut off too much. It wouldn't help him cross the ravine!

14. As others continued their journey to the Holy Land, he had to stop there at the ravine in anguish. It was too late for regret!

A voice echoed in his mind, “I used to have the entire cross on my shoulder. I didn't value it. It wasn't until I needed it that I discovered how stupid I was. I worked against God's will for the sake of my comfort. I lost the most valuable thing in my life. Now I can never reach my destination. Nothing is more painful than this!”