Sand Castles

"The gift of ourselves in total submission to God is a sacrifice in which, far from losing anything, we gain everything and recover, in a more perfect mode of possession, even what we seem to have lost. For at the very moment when we give ourselves to God, God gives Himself to us." -Thomas Merton

Jim Elliot, a martyred missionary who brought the gospel to the remote jungles of Ecuador is quoted as saying "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." He was certainly right there. Either you live for the things you cannot ultimately keep, or you live for the things you can never lose. That is one truth I must always be mindful of. To give oneself to God in total submission and place our hope in Him alone. I don't know why it is so hard to do. Perhaps, it is because the enemy knows once that occurs the power of God will manifest itself so real in your life that you can't help but to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to those around you. And more so your light will shine brighter and you will live your life in such a way that people can't help but take notice!

By placing our hope in our careers, relationships, money, etc...We are like people building sand castles. Spending all of our time and effort into making this amazing sculpture while oblivious to the fact that the tide is coming in quickly and will wash it away in the blink of an eye.

The Bible tells us "Our days on earth are like grass;like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here..." (Psalm 103) Praise the Lord that His word endures forever! By placing our hope in Him we will not be disappointed. The righteous will persevere and He will uphold them through all circumstances.