You've watched it, too. I know I'm not the first or
only person who has seen it. But there is a lesson in
it that we both may have overlooked. There are some
children on a beach. They're playing and giggling -
building sand castles all the while. They seem so
intent on the project. You get amused at how
meticulous and careful they are with crumbly corners
and towers. The looks on their faces as they screw
their mouths around and stick out their tongues make
you smile. Their resolute concentration on the task is
priceless.
Then a big wave begins building and starts toward
shore. But the kids don't panic. Instead, they do the
strangest thing. They jump to their feet, scream with
delight, and watch the torrent of water wash away
their creations. There is no panic. No sadness. No
bitterness. Even children know the inevitable end of
sand castles. They are neither surprised nor angry
about what has happened.
You and I should be so wise. The stuff of this world
is about as lasting and durable as children's sand
castles on the beach. Yet we grownups can get so
caught up in it, defensive of it, and depressed over
the loss of it. God didn't create you to be famous,
get rich, live in the biggest house, or drive the
fanciest car. He created you for His glory. He put you
in the world to love people and do holy things. Your
destiny is not bound up in physical things, but
spiritual. So living to be a hundred is far less
important than living well - even if for a short time.
Beautifying your body is far less urgent than
purifying your soul.
Children know that their sand castles are brief joys
destined to disappear with an incoming tide. So they
don't fret as the waves approach. They watch their
creations get swept away without shedding tears.
Again, we should be so wise. Everything about this
life is fleeting and perishable. The incoming wave of
human mortality is going to sweep it all away. Like
sand castles, nothing done for the sake of this world
can last. Only what we do for eternity will survive.
What would the loss of your job or business do to you?
What if your house were lost to fire or storm?
What if a strange pain sent you to your physician and
led to the discovery that you have only a few weeks to
live?
These things really do happen to people, you know. We
are all as vulnerable as sand castles. Life is God's
gift. Revel in every good thing. But as you enjoy your
creations in the sand, just remember not to get overly
attached to them.
only person who has seen it. But there is a lesson in
it that we both may have overlooked. There are some
children on a beach. They're playing and giggling -
building sand castles all the while. They seem so
intent on the project. You get amused at how
meticulous and careful they are with crumbly corners
and towers. The looks on their faces as they screw
their mouths around and stick out their tongues make
you smile. Their resolute concentration on the task is
priceless.
Then a big wave begins building and starts toward
shore. But the kids don't panic. Instead, they do the
strangest thing. They jump to their feet, scream with
delight, and watch the torrent of water wash away
their creations. There is no panic. No sadness. No
bitterness. Even children know the inevitable end of
sand castles. They are neither surprised nor angry
about what has happened.
You and I should be so wise. The stuff of this world
is about as lasting and durable as children's sand
castles on the beach. Yet we grownups can get so
caught up in it, defensive of it, and depressed over
the loss of it. God didn't create you to be famous,
get rich, live in the biggest house, or drive the
fanciest car. He created you for His glory. He put you
in the world to love people and do holy things. Your
destiny is not bound up in physical things, but
spiritual. So living to be a hundred is far less
important than living well - even if for a short time.
Beautifying your body is far less urgent than
purifying your soul.
Children know that their sand castles are brief joys
destined to disappear with an incoming tide. So they
don't fret as the waves approach. They watch their
creations get swept away without shedding tears.
Again, we should be so wise. Everything about this
life is fleeting and perishable. The incoming wave of
human mortality is going to sweep it all away. Like
sand castles, nothing done for the sake of this world
can last. Only what we do for eternity will survive.
What would the loss of your job or business do to you?
What if your house were lost to fire or storm?
What if a strange pain sent you to your physician and
led to the discovery that you have only a few weeks to
live?
These things really do happen to people, you know. We
are all as vulnerable as sand castles. Life is God's
gift. Revel in every good thing. But as you enjoy your
creations in the sand, just remember not to get overly
attached to them.
