Just Get Up

I’m at the beach. Now I love the beach. The worst day at the beach is better than the best day anywhere else. This particular beach is one I haven’t visited since I was a child. And to say there have been some changes since then would be an obvious observation.

I love to walk and or jog in the sand and I love to play in the water and jump the waves. It’s usually very relaxing to me. I found out the hard way that the erosion experts had pumped up sand after one of the hurricanes in 2001 at this beach. Not a bad plan except the sand was filled with fist up to pumpkin sized rocks. To this day the rocks are a nuisance and/or a hazard. 

I would say more of a hazard because I fell on them when I was in the water and couldn't see the bottom. These rocks are the igneous varieties which are very jagged and pointy. I couldn't get a place to stand up to get out of them without cutting my feet and couldn't put my hands on them to leverage up without cutting my hands So I sat there with water up to my neck on the rocks (which was uncomfortable too I might add) contemplating how best to remove myself. In the end I had to crawl on them until I reached a smooth spot on which to stand wishing the whole time someone had informed me of this major change since I was at the beach as a child. I emerged somewhat battered, cut, sore, and bruised. But I emerged and got out of there.

This was quite an object lesson. That morning I was reading 1 John 1:8-9, and 2:1-2

If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness…My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the atoning sacrifice, making amends for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

What does this have to do with falling on rocks? 

Well it’s like falling into a sin. We all do and we all will. But God the Father through Jesus Christ forgives us and restores our righteousness. We get up and get out and don’t go back to that old way. (I know where the rocks are now and you had better believe I won’t be going there again during this vacation.) We may come out battered but we can come out. All is forgiven and we don’t go there again. 

One author said that grace and mercy are not a one-time gift but that we go from grace (not getting the punishment we deserve) to grace to grace, on and on. And we go from mercy (getting forgiveness we don’t deserve) to mercy, to mercy, on and on.

When we fall into sin we get up and get out.

We just get up.

No matter how hard it is, we get up and get out

And get forgiven.