Into the Fire

The tide comes in and the tide goes out. The sound in the distance is a dull roar. Up close the waves roll, slap, slide, slosh, and lap against obstacles and eventually the shore. Steady. Repetitive. Increasing in volume and velocity by strong winds or hidden earthquakes. Steady. Repetitive.

I can get lost in the sounds of the ocean, the sight of the waves, the power of the pull.

There are certain things which remind us of eternity. Of God’s creation. Of His amazing imagination and unique order. Man cannot equal it no matter how hard he tries. He simply cannot duplicate the greatness of God.

Weary as the world makes us—forcing us into conflicts we never asked for or anticipated—we attempt to keep our hopes alive, to persevere through the counsel and comfort of the Holy Spirit. We are weakened by our frailties, often punctured and deflated by our fears. What will become of us? The world is falling into its self-made abyss, and we are being dragged downward by its drainage.

We listen to claims of men who offer what only God can give. Yet people are wooed by such language backed up with vacant whooshes of stagnant air. The hollow folly of those who seek power over purity.

The steady, repetitive sounds of the ocean remind me God is everlasting. He has created man to live forever. Without embracing His Son Jesus Christ, man will spend eternity in a hell created for the rebels of heaven. It is a place of eternal torment where the light never shines, shrieking is heard but no one is seen, the air is foul, putrid, rancid, fiery, and flaming, and separation from God eliminates all possibility of goodness and mercy. Forever.

Jesus is the Savior of this world. There are too many who claim to know Him who do not live for Him. Are you hot or cold in your relationship with Jesus? Lukewarm? People die every second. Your breath is a gift from God. Who are you breathing for? Where is your passion? Who do you know who is on the road to hell? Do you care? Will you follow? Or will you grab their hands and tell them the truth?

The tide comes in and the tide goes out. Steady. Repetitive. God created it. A reminder of His power and glory. He can be counted on. Real. Steadfast. He’s waiting but only for so long. Our days are numbered. Nothing is more important than the decision to follow Jesus. Nothing. Nothing at all.

Father, help each one of us to keep our ears to your voice, our words from your heart, our actions dictated by your commands. Help us to serve you all ways, always. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.