Over the holidays
we went away for a quick break down to the beach, but
for a few days swimming and surfing was banned. The hectic weather
conditions and giant surf made swimming far too dangerous.
What was
interesting to note was that the Lifeguards were warning people not to go into
the surf, but there were people who still disobeyed the order and
tried to go and swim.The swimmers would be reprimanded and then
come out the water - but a few minutes later someone else ignored the ban and tried to swim. At one point the
exasperated Life guards were telling people that bathing was banned for the
SAFETY of the public! It was not that they wanted to chill out and take a day
off – no, they were doing their job and trying to protect people.
This reminded
me of how we sometimes view God and his commands. We often think that God has
made the rules and commands just to mess with us – like some kind of sick
LIFEGUARD, who just wants to stop my fun in the sun.
It is
interesting that when the Lord gave the 10 commandments to the Israelites it
was to PROTECT Them and keep them safe in the NEW LAND they were about to enter
into. They had been used to living under the leadership and rules of the
Egyptians for generations. These were set for them to say to
them – “Hey, guys it is gonna be tough out there – if you want to survive and
live long in the land, then I am laying down these guidelines.” But the people
kept ignoring God.
Nehemiah 9: 16-18 - But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked,
and they did not obey your commands. 17 They refused to listen and
failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became
stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to
their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to
anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them."
God is not a mean person trying to mess up our lives, rather he is a loving LifeGuard trying to protect us from getting ourselves in trouble.
Living in Grace
D3LM3
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