Beach 1
I am standing on a wide open beach talking with a friend. It’s early evening. Suddenly there is a man running by us, a red board in his hand–a lifeguard in full rescue mode. The pounding of his feet on the sand is audible because everyone on the beach is on alert, collectively holding their breath.
I hear the red flag flapping and snapping in the wind close by. High Hazard, it warns. I look behind me, for the first time, at the lifeguard station and realize someone is up there – as we stand chatting – scanning the shore with binoculars, watching, watching.
Moments pass. The swimmer is alright. Squinting against the sun, it’s hard to see who it is exactly. The hum of voices all around picks back up. A red lifeguard truck begins to drive up and down the beach blaring something from the loudspeaker. What? We look at each other. What are they saying? Dangerous conditions exist. A riptide warning is in effect here…
Watching the shoreline I wonder if anyone out in the water is paying attention. A group of college guys are wading out, out. In my head I demand they stop and decide my boys are never going to college.
The lifeguard truck continues to sweep the beach, warning, warning. People continue to move through the water.
Beach 2
I am sitting on the beach, early morning. I’m alone with God — for the first time in a little while. Waves, wild and green, reach up to me, claiming every inch of sand. I’m here, but when it comes to real communication, I am like my kids when they can’t look me in the eye, I’m all over the place, swirling like the surf. But what about this, God, what is going to happen? How will I…? I go on and on, breathless. I can’t get my footing, hold up my head, the anxious thoughts have come in currents for days, and now they become a riptide. Finally, one true thought surfaces. It’s me. I’m the one out there in water too deep for me.
When it comes to the health and well-being of my spirit-life, the red flag is out. Always. Dangerous conditions exist. Always. There are strong currents that can sweep me away, take my eyes off Jesus, who is my life, catch me up in thinking it’s all on me. They will sweep me away with the stuff, even the good stuff, of life.
God is God and I am not. This is the truth I am either clinging to or choosing to ignore, and it will determine everything else. There is no standing still in the waves.
God, I am so sorry…
Relief comes in like a flood, and calm.
Beach 3
Later, walking back toward my car, I stop to slip on my sandals. In my distraction, I had taken them off without thinking about it. I see now I left them at the foot of a lifeguard chair.
Looking at it, then at the endless surf, suddenly I’m overwhelmed by the ever-present, saving love of God.
You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; its useless. Cultivate God-confidence. (1Corinthians 10:12, The Message)
