Life is Like a Walk on the Beach

God's mercies truly are new every morning

I just love walking along the beach – I do it most days to get fresh air, sunshine and especially, exercise. I slog through the soft sand right down to the water's edge where the sand is hard, smooth and unmarked as it is much easier to walk briskly or even jog for a bit. It keeps me on my toes though . . . sometimes I have to dodge the waves as they come whooshing in! It makes me smile when I dodge – I think because it's reminiscent of childhood games with my sister. But I have found other reasons to smile recently.

I had an ‘aha' moment this week . . .

When waves come whooshing in close I sometimes get the toes of my boots wet! When this happens my footprints, which have spoiled the pristine sand behind me, are washed away by the foamy water. All that remains is smooth, flat sand, leaving no trace of my footprints messing the sand's surface.

I realized this is such an amazing parallel to every day life – I walk faithfully each day, just like I walk the beach. As I live I begin each fresh, pristine and unspoiled day, placing one foot in front of the next. As I live I often mess things up – sin is at work in me just like in everyone else on the planet. Annoyingly, my days can become a mess of guilt, emotion and frustration as I muddle my way through them. Sound familiar?

But you know what? Every step I take in this messed up life of mine there is a wash of sea right behind me. The work of Jesus on the cross means I am constantly forgiven, and the mess I make is washed over. This ‘water' makes my life beautiful, clean and smooth again.

Yes, there are consequences to those moments when I sin…but I do not have to carry loads of guilt, shame or emotional overload that comes with them because that's what Jesus came to deal with. I can choose to let all those ‘nasties' go.

What a relief! Working hard at keeping ahead of all my sin is not necessary. Jesus is right there with me – every step of the way. All it takes is a conscious choice to walk down by the water: to be as near his saving grace, love and freedom as I can.

It works for you too. A Christ-centered life is as simple as a walk on the beach.

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Jenny Baxter is the editor of Christian Woman magazine (Australia/New Zealand).

www.christianwoman.com.au

She and husband Stephen share their home with Elliot (15) and Hilary (13), with three older children already having flown the coop.