Such a beautiful day to head to the beach. Gathering the beach toys, towels, sunscreen, and suits, the family headed out. They couldn't wait to get their feet in the sand. As their mom unloaded the car, the kids ran with great enthusiasm toward the water. Mom followed. She stretched out the blankets and stuck the umbrella in the sand. Glancing up she saw her darlings splashing and laughing. They all needed this break. After positioning all the beach gear, she plopped onto a beach towel. Again, she looked out at her children. The littlest had floated too far out. She stood, shielded her eyes, raised her hand to wave the children back and shouted, "Come back!" Big brother heard her and pulled his little brother closer to shore. Playful laughter filled the air.

Mom paused to rub sunscreen on her arms. Glancing toward the water she once again called out to her darlings. "Come closer to the shore. Don't get too far out." Again, they responded by moving closer to the shore. She began to relax as she watched the children play. She opened the book she'd brought to read. Soon, enjoying the warmth of the sun, she became engrossed in the book. A shriek caused her to jump to her feet. Her children had strayed too far out. They were in over their heads. She stood and without moving a muscle, watched as they drifted out to the ocean.

What? Are you kidding? That isn't what a mother would do! Any mother would get up and race out into the water to carry her children back to safety as would any good father. None of us can fathom a parent who would stand at the shores and watch their children succumb to the ocean without making any effort to save them.

Many feel a bit like those children, struggling to keep our noses above water. Somehow in the process of filling our bank accounts, working our important jobs, and enjoying leisure time with our hobbies, we lost sight of the shore. It didn't happen because we lacked a good parent who warned us, but rather because we didn't listen and come back when we still could. Instead, we bobbed along, drifting away while building our own small empires without thought of the warning to stay close to our protector. In our arrogant pride, we didn't heed the warning.

Like a good mother at the shore, God has been standing calling out, “Come back. It is safer next to me where I will love and protect you.” It is His desire for us to be close to Him. You might ask: If that's His desire, why doesn't he protect us? Why would He allow bad things to happen? Well, because he loves us enough to allow us to make our own choices; choices that often affect others, some for good, others for harm.

If you find yourself like the child beyond the reach of his mother's hands, just remember, God has a lifeboat. He sent His own Son to give his life in exchange for yours. As a result, you can come under the shelter and safety of God for all eternity. It's your choice. Will you reach out to the hand extending from the boat? Will you set aside your own agenda long enough to consider it might not be God's? In reality, we can't survive the challenges of life without God any more than children can survive at the ocean without their mother. Choose well, because the freedom to choose is a gift in itself. Life without choices would be like the world without oceans. God is a good Father who is ready to pull you back to Him.

Isaiah 44:22: “Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” (NIV).