Previous | Next 

Looking for loopholes

Susan Brandt

During a recent visit to a lakeshore cottage, we gathered at the beach to watch snowmobile racing on the water. Even though it was still September and there was no ice on the lake, the snowmobilers were beginning their season by racing their machines on the water. It meant revving the machines up to a high level on the sand, then hitting the water at full speed. Experienced drivers could keep their machines on the water for a number of circuits. Less experienced drivers soon headed for the beach, or at least the shallow water. During the afternoon’s adventures, each of the drivers took his turn at ditching his machine at least once (because of a submerged rock, because of the wake of another machine or because his machine just lost power) while on the water. The machines were quickly hauled out of the water and dried off, and within 15 minutes they were back in operation.

One of the reasons given for this adventure was the fact that in order to operate a personal watercraft on the water, one needs a licence. However, there is no law that a licence is required to operate a snowmobile on the water. In other words, these drivers had found a loophole.

I began thinking about the loopholes we sometimes try to find when we read the Bible, or live out our Christian faith: “That was in Old Testament times; it doesn’t apply now”; “Paul was writing to people of another culture”; “I don’t like Paul’s attitude toward women”; or any other of a dozen excuses we can find.

As the snowmobilers discovered, looking for loopholes eventually lands us in the water. The Bible must be read with discernment, and with a prayer for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes.

Susan Brandt is managing editor of the MB Herald.

Previous | Next 

Last modified November 16, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
Masthead and usage information.