I love tourist destinations where cars are not welcomed, especially if there
is also a gorgeous beach nearby!
I had reserved our ferry to this beautiful island in the Bahamas 6 months in
advance, and to make sure we got the full deal, I personally contacted the ferry
services over the phone to recap what we were ordering: transportation from
Nassau to Harbour Island, local transportation, and a lunch at a restaurant of
our choice.
The day arrived, and filled with excitement, we stepped off the boat into
paradise.
Reality, however, isn't always what it is promoted to be, even in paradise, and
reality struck the moment we stepped off the boat.
"Where is our golf cart?" I asked.
"Where are your tickets?" Was the answer. After a few minutes of examination,
the lady said, "This ticket doesn't include a golf cart!"
"But…but… I ordered one!" I exclaimed.
But this was met with indifference. "You can rent one if you go to that store!"
We soon learned that not only did our tickets NOT include local transportation,
but they also didn't include our lunch! The only thing our tickets covered was
our return trip to Nassau!
We looked at each other, then our eyes dropped to the backpack full of water,
the heavy camera bag, the 4 bags of snorkelling gear, and the overstuffed swim
bag. The beaches we had hoped to visit were located on the other side of the
island, while the restaurant where we had hoped to have our lunch was at the
opposite end of the island. And what about the historical tour of the island we
had hoped to take?
As one, we turned and climbed the little hill to the indicated store. When we
entered and asked the price, however, we fell flat on our bums from shock: "Most
of our golf carts are rented, but I can rent you one for 90$ a day."
In desperation, I tried a new tactic: "Do you have half-a-day rentals? Our ferry
leaves at 3:55 and it's 10:30 now."
"Yes we do, but they have to be back by noon. That will be $50.00."
We didn't have that much cash on us, and we resigned ourselves to exploring the
island on foot, our heavy bags in tow.
How often aren't we disappointed with the many false promises proclaimed around
us? Sin is like that. It looks glamorous, fun, exciting, but once we dive in, it
swallows us whole without even letting us take a breath of respite! Oh, we
relish the lustful excitement at first, but we are always haunted afterwards by
its vicious, addicting and depressing consequences. Once in, there is no out,
unless we come to our senses and reach out to the One who paid a hefty price for
our soul.
Sin is always about "having", and it is always with the purpose of having more
and more and more.
"'You will not surely die,' the serpent said to the woman. 'For God knows that
when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing
good and evil.'" (Gen 3:4-5 NIV)
"The tempter came to him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones
to become bread.'" (Matt 4:3 NIV)
"Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the
kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said,
'if you will bow down and worship me.'" (Matt 4:8-9 NIV)
All these promises, but in all reality you don't ever obtain anything but a
hefty headache with horrendous complications.
That same attitude afflicts believers who try to prove their sincerity through
their efforts:
"Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name,
and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'" (Matt 7:22 NIV)
All these works look good on a résumé, but not to God!
"I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
(Matt 7:23 NIV)
These believers are puffed-up with self-importance, not realizing that God
delights solely in those who are seeking an intimate relationship with Him and
are willing to put Him on the throne of their lives!
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matt 7:21NIV)
Many will be disappointed upon reaching the doors of heaven! However, those who
rely daily on God will not be disappointed. Instead, they will be welcomed with
open arms to the Kingdom of the One who died for them! No golf carts will be
needed then! These trivialities will all be but dim memories from the past!
Will you make reservations based on empty promises? Sin is so alluring, but it
is also based on a web of lies and deceits. Only One will always keep His
promises: "You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good
promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been
fulfilled; not one has failed." (Josh 23:14 NIV)
You will never be disappointed with the lover of your soul!
"Where's my golf cart?"
"The only thing left is a gold ball. I will rent it to you for fifty dollars."
"Isn't that a bit steep?"
Rob Chaffart
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