I remember when I was a teen someone saying something to the effect of our not sharing our faith because we don't want to offend or scare or turn someone off being like us not yelling "SHARK" to that person out in the ocean when we see a shark swimming towards them. Pretty profound I thought.
We are all here on this earth, "playing at the beach," together. I'm on the shore with my fellow Christ-followers building sandcastles, flying kites, sunbathing, enjoying life and the security of knowing I'm safe - (heaven is mine!). Yes, sometimes my sandcastle gets washed away by the waves or my kite comes crashing down or the sun burns my skin badly but my fellow Christ-followers and God are there to help me rebuild, send more wind, heal my skin, continue "playing on the beach." The Outsiders are at the beach as well out surfing in the ocean being tossed around by the waves - some big, some little - seeming to enjoy themselves but for the occasional wipeout. I'm on the shore and look out and see sharks, enormous, insurmountable waves, and other dangerous things things lurking all around them - the devil, eternal death. What do I do? I won't bother them - they're having so much fun - they're content - they don't want to be bothered.
The shark might not get them this time or the wave might not wipe them out this time and they might just be floating along lying on their surf board with arms and legs hanging off and not even realize that little bits of toes or fingers are being nibbled away by smaller things in the water and all of a sudden it will be too late. No getting to shore - eternal life with God. I could have warned them. But I didn't because they might have laughed at me and thought me foolish to even think there could be a shark anywhere in the area.
I think you can get the idea.
Yes, all analogies have flaws but I was just thinking about this and thought I would write it down. Do we really care about those around us? How do we get over ourselves and see the danger the others around us are in?
