We had planned our trip to Love Beach, on the island of New Providence,
Bahamas, to the minutest details.
We had discovered this tropical snorkelling haven online, and although it was
way out of town, we had found a jitney that would take us there. This beach was
supposedly only for locals, but we had read that well-behaved tourists would be
welcomed. Since we intended to be well-behaved, we didn't count on any problems.
And we didn't have any!
Except for that one... But it was just a little problem, right? Or maybe not so
little, after all...
As I was unpacking my snorkelling gear at the beach, I discovered that I had
forgotten a very important piece of swimming gear: My swimsuit! Oh no! What
would I do? I couldn't go out in the ocean without this little item of clothing!
But what were my alternatives? Going back to then hotel would take me at least
half a day, as jitneys only came out to this part of the island once every hour.
Beachcombing would be fun at first, but after a couple of hours it would become
boring. We had come here to snorkel, and that's what I had my mind set on doing!
I wanted to explore this particular reef that I had read so much about!
Ever the practical one, my wife had a suggestion: "Why don't you swim in your
underwear?"
"No way!" Was my immediate response. "That would be disgusting. And
embarrassing, too!"
By she had that "look" on her face, the one that said, "You're being silly!"
"Why?" She asked. "We're the only ones here!"
I looked around, and sure enough, the beautiful sands of this lovely beach were
practically deserted. I did notice a pair of people snorkelling way out in the
water, several hundred feet down the beach, and off to my left was an older man
who was beachcombing. And of course, there were the construction workers on the
hill behind us, but they were occupied with their work. What would it hurt?
Nobody would see me anyway, and even if they did, wouldn't they think my
colourful boxers looked like swimming trunks?
I quickly slapped on some suntan lotion (an action I would later regret!), and
then I did the unthinkable . . . No way! Yes way! I did it! I went snorkelling
in my boxer shorts! And the reward was unimaginable. Although small, the coral
reef was alive with marine life. We were so mesmerized by the splendour that
hours flew by before we noticed that we better get back to our hotel.
After a lengthy wait for a jitney, we finally found ourselves back in our hotel
room. That's when I discovered that my right foot was badly sunburned. When I
examined the left one, however, I found it to be so badly burned that,
comparatively speaking, my right foot no longer looked burned at all!
But this is another story altogether!
This whole episode made me realize that in our daily living we are constantly
faced with the choice of comfortably staying where we are, or taking a risk.
Staying where we are assures that we avoid most adrenaline-filled episodes. But
it also greets us with a boring perspective on life. Taking risks, on the other
hand, makes us discover that life is worth living, and that beauty exists even
in places of utter desolation. You might get burned at times, but the rewards
are always greater than the risks!
Take, for example, that angry person that constantly taunts others. He's the one
who is avoided by everyone. But have you ever tried to reach out to him? Did you
know that his wife just left him for greener pastures? Did you know he is
petrified by the idea of having to raise his two kids by himself? He is like a
world that is yet to be discovered, and you would be amazed at the beauty that
can result if you just reach out to him. And who knows? The rewards could reach
eternity!
Jesus gave us a basic principle:
"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this
all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John
13:34-35 NIV)
"You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy
its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other,
treating each other with dignity and honor." (James 3:18)
It is worth taking a risk for other people. If we just sit back and watch, all
we get in life is a sore bottom, but beauty awaits us if we are just willing to
take the risk.
"That's what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play
it safe and end up holding the bag." (Luke 19:26 The Message)
Can anyone bring me my pants? I don't dare get out of the water!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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