I stood ankle-deep in water by the shore. In the background, a boisterous group of children were swimming in the lagoon; happy.
I strolled along the shore underneath the overcast sky, each step I took was greeted by a rushing wave hasting to clear my tracks. I looked around, other than the rubbish scattered all over the beach, there was no trace of human activity. I saw no trace of the person who walked here an hour ago, not to talk of the person who came yesterday. And soon after I left, there would be no trace of me either.
This got me thinking. After I am gone; when my time on earth is over, who will remember me and what for? And more importantly, what will I leave behind? Who will I affect? Sometimes it is difficult to think about these questions and we may think “Oh I have lots of time” or “I am too young to be thinking about these things”. I think the events of recent times have reminded us of how fragile life really is.
I have thought very deeply about these questions and found myself lacking. Am I a good example of Christ to others? Is all I do from the bottom of my heart or for show? Am I only friendly to those whom I think worthy or also a friend of the lowly? Are my words full of grace? Am I slow to anger? Do I do as I am told without complaining? Is my attitude worthy as an offering to God? Sadly, I have found I have not been consistent where God has placed me.
“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.”
Proverbs 13:22
This helps me understand that even the littlest things I do, will influence others I will never meet.
So. every time you think of the sea remember that God has placed you where you are for a reason. We are accountable to Him for what we did and did not do. Like the psalmist, may our prayer be “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”. It was for us Christ died and rose that we may rise with Him in newness of life. While you still have life, consider His offer of salvation. Because at one point the wave will return and the footprint will be no more.
Esther A.
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