‘He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit,

and his life shall see the light.” Job 33:28

Our family is vacationing at the beach this week and it is wonderful! Waking up and seeing the ocean first thing, building sand castles, collecting seashells and relaxing is a gift to us. After a long school year, this is just what we needed. Getting away from our normal has been good for each of us. We have laughed, gotten upset with one another, eaten too much and sat unmoving on the beach for long periods of time. We have been slow in just about everything we have done. I treasure our times away and look for gifts continually. It is very easy to hear the Lord in times of slow, rest and beauty.

Today we ventured out to our little area in the sand and settled in. One of our boys began to dig a huge hole and really did not want anyone else to help. He dug and dug until the pit was deep. Another one of our boys had been eyeing this great feat and jumped in. He then asked to be buried with only his head sticking out. Because the pit was so deep, it took a lot of sand to fill the hole back up and cover him. He was trapped, but said he liked it. One kid put a bucket on his head and he was helpless to remove it. Another “accidentally” kicked sand in his mouth, but he could do nothing. And then it was time for lunch.

He was buried and could not help himself. He needed someone on shore to dig him out and pull him back up. At first he resisted and wanted to do some kind of challenge. Then the promise of his favorite meal was heard. His dad came and scoop by scoop dug him out. The weight of the sand had been heavy and he needed help even standing. He was covered obviously, so I walked beside him to the water to wash off. He said his legs did not feel quite right and I stood close in case he fell. We walked back to the family side by side with him free and washed clean.

What looked like a fun time, ended up being a trap. He needed his dad to help him out and we are no different. We stray from our loving boundaries and get buried in a pit. We cannot move and we are powerless. Sin appears harmless and takes us much further than we ever thought. Before long we become slaves to our sin or so we think. Might I suggest you do what this child did and ask you Heavenly Father for help? Start with “Help” if you don’t even have the words to cry out. It might take time to feel free, but you are the minute you believe. Pit living makes one weary. Peace never lasts and experiences are costly. Life in abundance is found in Christ and Christ alone.

So today I ask the Lord, “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” (Acts 26:18). Our eyes do not see clearly in a pit. It is like we have a bucket on our head. Only the Lord, the creator of our heart and eyes, can make us truly see. “This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5). If you want freedom, peace, to be washed of all sin and life only found in living in the light, then ask the Lord. He is waiting and I would love to walk beside you.