This morning a memory came back of trying to get back to the shore when I was swimming. It took real effort. OK I know it is not wise, but sometimes I like to push things. For example, I like to stand at the edge of cliffs or the very edge of a pier even on a stormy day, or drive slightly faster than I should in some circumstances. Yes, OK, OK, please don’t lecture me… I find it great FUN! Mmm…sometimes I fear I come across a lot of very serious Christians who have forgotten how to have fun, but that is for another blog.

On this occasion, I knew I had gone slightly out of my depth but felt all would be well, that nothing would happen that I could not cope with. However, either the tide changed or I hit a current. Very suddenly I was carried out further than I wanted to go. I don’t want to over dramatise the memory, but it was a struggle to get back in to safer waters. What I thought might take me about 5 minutes took about 15 or 20 minutes. Actually if that happened today, I would not have the lung power or physical fitness to get back into safer waters. That is a thought that just came this very second…quite sobering.

All I know is that particular memory came as I thought about whether I should or should not write a blog today. There is no reason why I should be remembering that incident as far as I can work out.  So I am wondering if this is a word for someone who will read this blog?

Perhaps you knew you were crossing a line; skirting close to the edge of the will of God, you crossed the line and now you are finding it difficult to get back. It is as though something not under your control has carried you out further than you ever meant to go when you took that step that day or that night. I guess it can happen to churches, congregations, denominations as well for that matter. However, I get the sense this is for very personal or individual application. Did you cross a line you set for yourself; “I will allow myself to do this, perhaps this, but definitely not that. I will draw the line there!” You crossed the line you drew. One of the most fearfully sobering verses in the bible is the one that tells us that Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. That was the start, the first step, the first crossing of a line  in what would become  a sordid story in which Lot’s soul was tormented day after day, a story in which others of his family suffered in a dreadful and shameful way.

Call upon Christ. You cannot save yourself. You will keep breaking new boundaries you thought you never  would. We are not as in charge of ourselves as we like to think. Christ is merciful.

Souls in danger look above
Jesus completely saves
He will lift you by his love
Out of the angry waves
But the master of the sea
Billows His will obey
He your Saviour wants to be
Be saved today!

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me.

May you reach safe waters once more by the mercy of Christ. In these waters you will be out of your depth in the love of God.

God Bless

Kenny

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