Getting Your Toes Wet
March 16, 2016
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
On a recent trip to San Jose del Cabo, I learned the Pacific Ocean isn’t always welcoming to visitors. On a hot sunny day I walked to the beach only to be met by a beach patrol officer telling me in broken English, “No get in the water, Senora, too rough.” I replied, “Okay only my toes, it’s hot, I’ll just get my feet wet!” He said, “No Senora too rough, you’ll lose track stepping in the water, a wave will come and you’ll be gone.” So I agreed to walk on the hot sand, avoiding the water—but the water looked so good, perfectly clear and blue and I could tell it had to be so refreshing. Like a little child disobeying her parent, once I had walked a long way, I stopped and turned to see if the kind beach patrol man could see me. When I determined he couldn’t AND I spotted another woman coming toward me IN THE WATER, I began my descent down a steep incline toward the water. I stopped at a spot where the next wave allowed the water to flow over my feet—ahhh, it was better than I had imagined. To experience this feeling again I would need to take another step or two into the water, the dangerous area I’ve been warned about. Does any of this sound familiar? Sin, temptation has a way of luring us in, one good feeling at a time. Even when we’ve been warned, our sin nature says, “Just this once”. Thankfully a stronger wave headed toward me and I quickly retreated. Stay close to God, follow His path, and avoid the consequences of getting your toes wet.
-Kim Hendrix, Media Ministries Director
On a recent trip to San Jose del Cabo, I learned the Pacific Ocean isn’t always welcoming to visitors. On a hot sunny day I walked to the beach only to be met by a beach patrol officer telling me in broken English, “No get in the water, Senora, too rough.” I replied, “Okay only my toes, it’s hot, I’ll just get my feet wet!” He said, “No Senora too rough, you’ll lose track stepping in the water, a wave will come and you’ll be gone.” So I agreed to walk on the hot sand, avoiding the water—but the water looked so good, perfectly clear and blue and I could tell it had to be so refreshing. Like a little child disobeying her parent, once I had walked a long way, I stopped and turned to see if the kind beach patrol man could see me. When I determined he couldn’t AND I spotted another woman coming toward me IN THE WATER, I began my descent down a steep incline toward the water. I stopped at a spot where the next wave allowed the water to flow over my feet—ahhh, it was better than I had imagined. To experience this feeling again I would need to take another step or two into the water, the dangerous area I’ve been warned about. Does any of this sound familiar? Sin, temptation has a way of luring us in, one good feeling at a time. Even when we’ve been warned, our sin nature says, “Just this once”. Thankfully a stronger wave headed toward me and I quickly retreated. Stay close to God, follow His path, and avoid the consequences of getting your toes wet.
-Kim Hendrix, Media Ministries Director