I've been fortunate in that my travels have allowed me
to visit a number of places of natural beauty in this great land. But on a
recent visit to Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada, I was alarmed by the number
of visitors who either don't read signs, or are lulled, by the beauty and the
relative calm of the blue-green ocean, into thinking that the warning doesn't
apply to them. Although "Danger -- Keep Off The Wet Rocks" or other such signs
were prominently displayed all around the parking lot, the day that I was there,
the signs were being ignored by many wanting to get closer, to observe the waves
breaking over the rocks.
Unfortunately these folks have no real respect for the
power of the sea. The next scene caused my heart to jump in horror, as I watched
a brutal wave course towards the shore, and break over the giant rocks. Its
driving force swept a young man, who had been standing on a solid rock at what I
am sure seemed to him to be several feet from danger, completely off his feet.
Before he could gain his balance, another wave pounded to shore, and I, standing
in safety high above this scene, stood helpless, as I watched younger, more
agile people scramble down over the rocks to offer their help. Fortunately, with
only a scare and a soaking, the young tourist was able to grab onto a jagged
crack, and hold on until the wave slipped back into the sea. The young man now
knew first-hand the power of the ocean, and the reason for the signs. This time
he didn't hesitate; he scrambled for safety.
This event started me thinking about how God has given
us verses in Scripture that warn of the dangers of being lulled into thinking He
will tolerate sin. We need to heed His warnings, and aim to keep our lives free
from wrongdoing.
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for caring for us. Thank
You for Your words of warning, and Your plan of salvation, offering us Your
pardon for our sin. Amen.
By Elaine Ingalls Hogg, Smiths Creek, New Brunswick,
Canada, Assistant Submissions Editor for the "Daily", Copyright 2003. Reprinted
by permission. For free daily email subscription to the Daily visit:
http://daily.presbycan.ca.
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