THE SEA, THE SAND, AND THE SON OF GOD
by Fleta Mathews
“Where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? …The depth saith, it is not in me: and the sea saith, it is not with me. …And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:12,14,28)
Since I was a very little girl, I have loved the very sight of the seashore. At every opportunity, I slip away to a secluded spot to sit and soak up the sun. The everyday pressures fade as I feel the surf at my feet and the sand between my toes. Swimming out from the shore to catch the coming waves and letting them carry me back to the beach is still one of my drive delights. Building sandcastles or picking up seashells has been one of my favorite pastimes for many years. It is in these simple pleasures I find rest, relaxation and renewal.
On one of these many seaside excursions, I met another woman walking along the shore. Since I talk to anyone or anything that moves (according to my husband), we struck up a conversation. Eventually we sat in the sand, exchanging stories as females are inclined to do. While we basked in the beauty of the sea, the sun and the wind and waves, we talked of many things. I soon learned she believes that life came from the sea.
Supposedly she draws her strength and solace from its powerful presence and expects to return there upon her demise… She is published author, and we communicated our common interest in poetry and other written works we enjoy. Later, she shared copies of her work with me. From my reading, I saw confirmed the philosophy she expressed Prayerfully, I told her of my convictions regarding Christ and my conversion. Watching her face, it seemed my words passed right over her head and heart, and she continued on with other thoughts. As the sun set, we said goodbye and returned to our separate seaside sanctuaries.
Since we had connected in several ways, we agreed to keep in touch. When I returned home, she kept troubling my thoughts. I began to pray again for her and wrote her a brief note. Her reply was warm but contained no mention of the message I sent of God’s provision for her salvation. Instead, she sent other poems solidifying her belief. How easy it is for one to look for life and permanent peace in the shifting sand of failing foundations! God has told us in His word it is a foolish person who builds his house and hopes upon the sinking sands of this world. The wise one builds his life on the ROCK and finds salvation, security and serenity in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Matthew 7:26,27)
What my friend fails to consider is that “In the beginning, God created the Heaven and the earth”. (Genesis 1:1) “The sea is His and He made it” (Psalm 95:5) “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea” (Psalm 72:8).
“In whose hand is the soul of every living thing; and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10) If we believe the Bible, my friend did not come from the sea. “God created man in His own image.” (Genesis 1:27) “The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7) Her soul (spirit) will not return to it – “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 4:7)
At the beginning of the article, the question was asked, “Where shall wisdom be found?” It is not found in the sea. Wisdom IS found in Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, FOR THIS IS THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN.”
“He hath showed thee, o man, what is good and what the Lord requires of thee…To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” (Micah 6:8) “So, teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)