Sinking is never a good thing.
At the end of March in Saskatchewan, Canada, we always still have a large amount of snow. Every morning, I head out to the country, where I have a little trail I have managed to maintain all winter.
Every time the snow falls, my trail gets covered. With a lot of work, I try to find my path without sinking in snow that is sometimes up to my waist. Once I find my trail again, my dog and I continue happily as we admire God's creation.
As I walk, I sometimes forget about my narrow path and step off my thick walkway of deep snow. Then boom! I'm sunk! I use a hockey stick I carry, and with a lot of effort, I push myself back up again and get back onto solid ground.
This whole experience is a very good reminder concerning my walk with the Lord. Struggles come when I get my eyes off God's path for me, as shown in His Word. When this happens, I feel like I'm sinking in worry or fear.
It's no fun dealing with life on your own, just like it's no fun trying to dig yourself out of snow that causes you to sink to your knees. But when we are on our knees, we are the most vulnerable and most aware of our own weakness and frailty.
During these times, God will speak in a still, quiet voice-or sometimes a loud voice-and tell me to look to Him instead of trying to walk the trail of life in my own strength. The Lord will always extend His loving care as He tells us to follow the light of His Word instead of walking in the darkness of our own path, which always leads to shame, guilt and fear (Proverbs 3:5–6).
The first two people, Adam and Eve, enjoyed perfection in every sense of the word in the Garden of Eden that God had given them. Best of all, they walked closely in relationship with their Creator, as He was the center of their lives.
Everything changed when Eve fell for Satan's deception and Adam disobeyed God by taking the fruit that God had told them not to eat. One step away from God caused them to sink in sin and their perfect fellowship with God was broken (Romans 5:12).
Since this time, the whole human race has been controlled by sin and faces separation and judgment from God. But God in His great love has provided a firm foundation for us in this life, which leads to security forever (John 10:28). The Lord Jesus spoke these words, "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life" (John 5:24, NIV).
God's word also says, "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday." (Proverbs 4:18, BSB)
True believers in Christ never need to fear the judgment of God, even though they are guilty on all counts before God. The believers in Jesus who have been saved by His amazing grace are not perfect, but they won't be who they used to be. Sinning won't be their way of life anymore. They may have isolated moments of falling in their walk with God, but they are forgiven! God helps them to stand again and walk strong as they trust in Him.
If you are saved and have had a moment of sinking in sin because you went your own way instead of listening to God's Word, be encouraged! God's mercies are new every day and great is His faithfulness to you! (Lamentations 3:22–23) Come to Him in your weakness, confess your sin, and He will give you the grace you need to go forward His way, as you trust in His strength and not in yourself.
If you have never come to know the Lord Jesus as your own Savior, God's Word says you are in danger, literally sinking deep in sin. You are far from the firm foundation of God's salvation that He offers you.
Please know that God can reach you no matter what you have done or how far away from Him you feel you are. His arm is not so short that He cannot save you (Isaiah. 59:1). God sees you, and He loves you. You only need to humble yourself, which means bowing before Him in your heart (and even physically if you are able). Turn from living your way, and turn to the Lord!
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved! (Acts 16:31). This means that you will be saved from God's judgment, saved to go to Heaven, and saved to live for Him! (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Becky Kew is a distributer
of Intertribal Life newspaper and has been involved in First Nations Ministry for over 20 years. She can be reached at Beckykew@outlook.com.
