Line in the Sand

     It was a line in the sand.  A line of yellow, blue, green and red beach umbrellas.

     I’d been to the beach many times yet I never noticed the ‘umbrella line.’  But there it was.

     Ignoring this line in the sand, we picked a spot closer to the ocean.

     No sooner were our umbrella and beach chairs set up than over walked a lifeguard.  In a friendly tone he told us we had to move because this beach town had an umbrella ordinance.  

     The lifeguard set up the umbrella line in the morning.   All other umbrellas had to be in line with those or behind them.  Since our umbrella was in front of the line, we had to move it.

     So I said, “No way–I’m not moving it!  No lifeguard is telling me what to do!  This is a free country and I paid good money to be on this beach.  Who are you to decide where the line is?”

     With that the lifeguard gave me a weird look and left us alone.

     “Now hold on just a minute,” you say.  “The lifeguard let you get away with it?”

     OK, not really.  I just made that part up.  If I hadn’t complied with the lifeguards’ request, I probably would’ve met a stern police officer, received a ticket and paid a hefty fine. 

     Since that’s not how I wanted our vacation to begin, we moved behind the line.

     But that incident made me think about how God has also put his ‘line in the sand.’  Only it's not a line of umbrellas and it carries more far more weight than a city ordinance.

     Many people think the Bible is a list of do's and don'ts. But for me it's more helpful to see it as a manual on how God designed life to work.  It tells us what works and what doesn't.

     God also makes clear the consequences for bad choices.  Why?  Because God wants us to fully enjoy life.  Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

     Over and over Jesus spoke of how blessed we are when we seek God, obey him and live according to his plan for life.  But not everyone follows God’s plan.

     The reason the Bible records the lives of so many people is to serve as examples for us.  Some made good choices and some bad.  Sadly, many today ignore the good examples, repeat the mistakes and suffer the consequences.

     Some people are bothered by restrictions on their behavior.  They don’t want anyone telling them what’s right or wrong.  They think the Bible is just a bunch of man-made rules.

     But what if it’s true?  True that God made us and made life work a certain way?  True that much of human suffering is due to our own ignorance and avoidance of God’s laws?

     Wouldn’t it make sense to obey God and seek his blessing in our lives?

     Try this.  Find the godliest Christian you know. Someone you trust completely and whose advice you take seriously.  Ask if they regret serving God.  Ask about God’s blessings in their life.  Ask about answered prayers.  About their struggles and God’s provision.

     Ask them to be honest and tell you what it cost them to serve Jesus with their life.  And then ask them if they recommend it to you.  My guess is that they will.  I certainly would!

     Then spend some time reading a Bible.  Look up the lives of Noah, Abraham, Joseph and especially Jesus.  Notice how the Bible is honest about its heroes. 

     Consider the outcome of their lives and think about how you want your life to turn out.

     While we were on the beach, we learned to respect the lifeguard’s line of umbrellas in the sand. And in life I’ve learned to respect God’s boundary lines also. 

     The umbrella line keeps the beach beautiful and God’s lines keep our lives safe and blessed.

     Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!