Proceeding down the long path to the beach, I strained for my first glimpse of the water.
Before the seashore came into view, my eyes spotted a flagpole at the end of the walkway. A red flag fluttered in the breeze atop it. As a coastal resident, I understood flags are flown to apprise beachgoers of surf conditions. A red flag signifies it’s unsafe to be in the water. Yet as I stepped onto the sand, I observed numerous individuals frolicking in the enticing emerald green waters, despite the flag’s clear warning.
Warnings are helpful, but they are ineffective unless heeded. Those swimmers could not have missed the red flag on the pole towering over the beach. However, they chose to ignore the instructions of those responsible for public safety and to put themselves in harm’s way.
The beach is not the only place where people fail to heed warnings. Wherever we find ourselves—at work, at home, or at a social gathering—we can turn a blind eye to wise words meant to protect us from sinful harm.
God’s instructions are found in the Bible—His instructional manual for our lives. But just like the beachgoers who saw the red flag but ignored it, we can place ourselves at unnecessary risk by ignoring God’s guidance.
Refusing instruction—whether on the beach or at other places—is foolhardy. And doing so is especially unwise when it comes from our loving heavenly Father.
Commit to adhering to God’s instruction and stay clear of peril.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Alice H. Murray is a Florida adoption attorney by profession and a writer by passion. Alice writes a weekly blog, has had three pieces published in the compilation work Short And Sweet Series, and is a staff writer for www.adoption.com.