How far up the beach are you?

I had a vision in church on April 25th, 2010 and thought I'd share it.

I saw lots of people on a sunny beach. The weather was about 95-100°, but near the water there was a gentle, cool breeze flowing off of the water.

Some people were way up on the top side of the beach, well away from the water. They had hats pulled down over their faces which said "Don't bother me" to any passing by, as well as kept the hot sun from burning their faces. They had umbrella's up to try and keep the sun from beating down on them, but they still were very hot and thinking, "Why did we come here again?"

Some were down further towards the middle, looking and watching those closer to the water. One in a great while they'd feel a slight breath of cool air come their way, but it wasn't enough to make them pack up all their stuff and move down closer to the water.

Yet others were on their sun chairs letting their feet dangle down for the tips of the waves to cool them. They were smiling and looked quite content. They cool breeze was constant, and kept the air at about 75°, which was much better than way up on the beach.

The really wild ones were actually wading into the cold ocean, or even swimming around in it. Splashing, laughing, jumping, riding the waves in to the beach, and generally looking like they were having the best time of their lives.

What I then saw was the meaning of it all, clear as day. The ocean and the waves were God's love, his compassion, his true Self. Even the breeze, that just was over God, was refreshing to all who felt it.

The people in the water were enjoying God to the fullest, having a great time. They were deep into Him and just loved Him being all around them. They were happy and very content to stay in the water and play.

Those with their feet dangling in the water as it lapped at the beach could see that they really enjoyed the feel of God when He touched them, and were happy enough with that. They just didn't wish to go all-out as they may get soaked in His presence, which may be more than they can handle.

The ones in the middle of the beach were watching all the fun, felt the cool breezes that came off of the water, but were definitely not ready to deal with the possibility of having the water, God, touch their lives. It would be too messy to have to wash off later before getting into the car.

Those at the very top of the beach had seen all of the others and the potential for a great time, but they just wanted to take in the sun and bake without the disturbance of a God encounter. That would just be too much, and might disturb their leisurely life in a way that they definitely wouldn't like. They weren't all that happy with the heat that beat down on them, and felt they really didn't want to be there. They were not very happy to see others having such fun when they themselves weren't having any.

The message:

Don't sit back, suffering in the life you've got. You may feel that you've gone somewhere that should be nice, but just don't wish to have God in your life. You acknowledge that he exists, and are at times drawn to his presence, but just can't walk down the beach past the hot area.

Don't sit in the middle thinking all is fine with a breath of God once in a while. You may think you're a little better than those up at the top of the beach who don't like life, but it is just torture to feel so little of God, and not very often.

If you're one that sets up shop with your feet dangling into the little waves that come up each time a breaker crashes, you know that there is much more to see and do if you just give in to the Spirit that blows across you constantly, drawing you to the water. Just leave your stuff (cares) on the beach and go down and join those who have found the reality of living to the fullest with God surrounding them. It's not a chore - it's FUN!