25 Aug, 2009
Swept Away
EDGARTOWN, Mass. – A large wave fueled by Hurricane Bill swept spectators out to sea at a Maine park Sunday as the storm-churned surf attracted onlookers and daredevils along the Eastern Seaboard.
A man, a woman and a 7-year-old girl were pulled from the sea near Acadia National Park, Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Shane Coxon said, and rescue crews were searching for others believed to be lost in the waves.
"This is absolutely the effects of Hurricane Bill" coupled with the effect of high tide, park ranger Sonya Berger said.
The girl was unresponsive when she was rescued, the woman appeared to have a broken leg and the man had a previous heart condition that appeared to be acting up, Coxon said.
The hurricane was also blamed for the death of a 54-year-old swimmer Saturday in Florida. Volusia County Beach Patrol Capt. Scott Petersohn said Angel Rosa of Orlando was unconscious when he washed ashore in rough waves fueled by Bill at New Smyrna Beach, along the central Florida coast. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Lifeguards there also rescued a handful of other swimmers believed to have suffered spinal injuries.
The three rescued in Maine were part of an early afternoon crowd of thousands who lined the national park's rocky shoreline to watch the high surf and crashing waves.
Kaiser said many people didn't even move when they were splashed by the waves and instead seemed to laugh it off.
Others on shore suffered minor injuries after being knocked to the rocks by the waves, Acadia National Park Chief Ranger Stuart West said.
Despite repeated warnings, people gathered in Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, and along the boardwalk in downtown Halifax as swells grew steadily in strength and size.
(To see full article by Jason Bronis, go to news.yahoo.com)
I Samuel 12:24-25 [NIV]
But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.
Proverbs 5:7-8 [ESV]
And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house.
What does God's Story say about getting dangerously close to sin?
In today's story, there are a few important things to notice.
- Everyone was warned repeatedly.
- Those who got too close were there because the temptation was "attractive".
- Everyone who was dangerously close didn't think they could be swept away...instead they "laughed it off" when they got splashed by the waves.
- Eventually people were hurt and lives were lost.
In today's first scripture passage we see Samuel offering the same repeated warning to the people of Israel. "Fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully...but if you continue to do evil, you will be swept away."
Yet, for some reason we (and the people of Israel) continue to get dangerously close to the evil we have been warned about. Why do we do this? Because sin is attractive and we think that we will never be sucked in and swept away...other people maybe, but certainly not us. And then, just as God told us, sin grabs a hold of us and we fall.
The passage in Proverbs, however, helps us to know how to avoid this...and the answer is to stay far away. The author Solomon is writing about the specific temptation of an adulterous woman, but the principle applies to any temptation that we may encounter...don't go anywhere near it!
Connecting today's story and God's Story to my story
- There are many temptations that you could be facing...substance abuse, sexual impurity, cheating, stealing, lying, pornography, gossiping...whatever you are struggling with, be sure to humbly pay close attention to the warning that God is giving you.
- Many of these temptations are situations that we could avoid simply by choosing not to put ourselves dangerously near sin. Avoiding these situations might mean not being at the party to begin with, not getting on line when no one else is around or not hanging out with a group of "friends" that continually gossip, lie or disrespect their parents. To avoid any sin, stay far away from the temptation!
- If you have already fallen and been swept away, know that you are never too far from shore for Jesus to rescue you and heal your wounds. All you need to do is call out to Him and He will be faithful to save you.
Connecting today's story, God's Story and my story with my friend's story
- Got a friend who is standing dangerously close to the waves of temptation and sin? Love them well by being courageous enough to share your concern for them. If they are Christ-followers, gently remind them of the truth from God's Word that they may need to hear. If they are not Christ-followers, respectfully ask them if you can share why you are concerned. Maybe God will use you to redirect their steps to a better path.
- Got a friend who has already been swept away and is soon to go under? Pray for them! Reach out to them! It is never too late.
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