Wednesday Wisdom 06

Sinking Sand Traps

There is an image in my head of a young woman stuck in quicksand.

It’s a memory that appears every now and then, originating most likely from some scary movie I should have skipped as a kid.

As I recall the scene, this woman was in serious trouble.  She was good and stuck, flailing about, yelling for help.

Help wasn’t coming.

I can’t remember how she got in that predicament, but I do remember the more she tried to fight the quicksand’s pull on her own, the deeper she sunk.

Now I wouldn’t say open pits of quicksand were prevalent this side of the Delaware River, but I knew I’d be steering clear for the rest of my life once I watched that scene.

Except I didn’t. Not really. Not always.

Truth is, I’ve built entire houses right on top of sinking sand a time or two. The stuff was more prevalent in my neighborhood than I thought. The metaphorical stuff anyway.

Jesus warns about making those choices in Matthew 7:26-27:

26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.

Slippery Slopes

Here are some examples:

If I build on a steady consumption of social media comments, likes and dislikes, I feel myself sinking.

If I build on trusting in my every emotion to lead and guide me to truth, I feel myself sinking.

If I build on my own fears and failures and not Christ’s everlasting love for me, I feel myself sinking.

And if I build on thinking I can overcome any obstacle solely in my own strength, it’s not long before I feel myself sinking.

Strong Foundations

So what’s the key to avoiding these sinking sand pits? Trusting in the right foundation to support you. Activating the wisdom of God in your life.

That means things like…

loving when maybe it’s easier to hate.

giving when maybe it’s easier to keep.

being humble when maybe it’s easier to boast.

forgiving when maybe it’s easier not to forgive.

being cautious and discerning when maybe it’s easier to trust flowery words and fancy promises.

Overall, that means seeking Jesus and His Word on a matter when maybe it’s easier to just go and do what we feel like doing.

I encourage you to grab a hold of the wisdom of God, which is a firm foundation for your life, with every next step you take.

Reading Matthew 7 is a great place to start (or get a refresher) if you’re curious.

And as far as complementing soundtracks go, I don’t think you can go wrong with this one.