Forget Not

“Forget not at all His benefits”

The girl is young, but the determination on her face speaks of a heart of strength. With force, she drives her plastic shovel into the sand and scoop by scoop creates a hollow cavity. The sand mound grows as the clock ticks along. Her efforts are soon rewarded and she jumps to her feet, rejoicing, “I’ve found water! I’ve found water!”

How alike we are to this child. We enjoy the Water of Life only as our efforts permit. We sweat in the sun, ache with the labor, and are furious with the sand that topples back into our hard-earned hole. We say we must earn the benefits. Sure, we’re saved but why else did He give us a shovel and sand? We labor for our peace. Fight for perfection. Ache to know joy. We long without truly being satisfied. 

Silly children we are! If we would just lay our plastic shovel down and turn our focus away from our efforts, we would find the ocean rolling behind us. Deep, without measure, powerful and beautiful, the ocean calls. Why dabble in our measly endeavors when this great body of water is available to us? In our small "pond" we might dip our toes in the water; in His ocean, we can drench ourselves completely! He gives us all His benefits. (Not just the ones you feel you’ve earned!) Let’s not forget them!