Just a few weeks ago, my husband and I had the privilege of traveling to Ormond Beach. I grew up going there almost every summer with my parents so it holds very fond memories. When I got married, my husband joined us…and then our son came along. You get the picture – memories from being a kid with my family flood my mind and heart. And then more precious memories were made with my family of three and also all five of us vacationing at this spot.
This year it was just the two of us. As we sat out on the deck of our condo one afternoon, we were just taking in the beauty of the ocean and all that entails – seagulls flying overhead or diving for fish; waves going to and fro and crashing, making bubbles from all the salt; kites being flown; couples walking hand in hand down the beach and families interacting with one another.
What caught our attention was a family of four just in front of our condo. Dad and Mom were standing back in the packed sand. But there was a son and daughter, approximately 12 years old and 10 years old respectively who had their feet in the water. Both of these children were squealing and laughing. It was so obvious that it was the first time these kiddos had experienced the ocean. They were running back and forth, trying not to let the waves crash on them – in ankle high water! But what they did next is what surprised both my husband and me.
The girl and boy stood still and tried to bury their feet. You could just tell it was their first time to do so. They fell on to one another. Dad and Mom finally walked up and joined them. I continued to hear laughter and squeals from both of these kids having the time of their lives.
But as God so often does, He spoke to me as I was an onlooker.
Those kids were carefree burying their toes and entire feet. It was so fun, thrilling, new and seemingly harmless.
But after a few minutes, a huge wave crashed into them and knocked the girl down (Ormond is on the Atlantic side so big waves are common). She laughed it off and got up.
But I couldn’t help but think. This picture is just like sin. It entices you; the temptation seems harmless, innocent and just plain fun. Then, you go deeper (as one burying his feet in the sand). Soon, you’re trapped! You can’t escape. You’re stuck in sin’s death grip.
And as David so eloquently points out in the Psalms, if you continue to laugh, party and remain unaware you can even sink into a deep pit (Psalm 40 especially).
The world only offers “sinking sand”. The fun and appeal of sin is an illusion. It draws you in, but soon you will be knocked down…and sometimes you can’t get back up – or get out of the pit!
I was reminded as I watched the scene with this family play out that only God offers a firm foundation. His kingdom is eternal; his way promises to satisfy, not temporarily but forever. Only by following God through believing in His Son, Jesus, can you base your life on a foundation that is secure and trustworthy.
In those few moments on the beach, I thanked God that He called me by name and drew me to Himself. I thanked Him for the firm foundation I experience daily, not because I’m good or have my act together or anything based on what I’ve done. It’s all based on the holiness and righteousness of Jesus Christ…and Him taking my punishment for sin on Himself.
I’m continually amazed that God uses nature and things of this world to teach lessons.
How about you? Is your foundation like being on a rock, firm and unwavering because it’s built on God who is our Rock? Or is it sinking sand, built on yourself, your accomplishments or other things of the world? It won’t hold you, my friend. You will eventually sink.
Turn to the ONLY ONE who can rescue you. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is the only way to get to God and experience a lasting secure and trustworthy foundation.
Laura's Lines 