Vacationing at God's Resort

By Missey Butler
Guest Writer

CBN.com -- My favorite vacation was the one I took for myself. Honestly, I don't believe I had ever experienced the three R's - rest, refreshment, and relaxation until I set out on this particular journey!

What made my trip so special was my visit to an island by the name of "Grace." Perhaps you've heard of it? It's a remote location tucked far away from many inhabitants. The closest civilization is a rather notorious city by the name of "Striving." Perhaps, you've visited there as well. (I personally don't care for all the clamor of the hectic pace). Every time I have gone there I would come home totally exhausted!

Soon after I arrived at Grace Island, I met up with a friendly tour guide whose name was Jehovah. He told me He was a "local" and could help me find my way around just in case I should get lost.

Later on, I strolled along the shoreline and allowed the cool waves to splash around my bare feet. I wondered how I had allowed myself to become so busy doing good works. Somewhere along the line I had forgotten the one verse I learned as a baby Christian ... "For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

I realized that my belief of earning my way to heaven was like the enthusiastic young man who received his plumber's license and was visiting Niagara Falls. Observing it for a moment, he very confidently said, "I think I can fix this!" How grandiose is that thinking? We begin to believe that somehow God needs our help and His grace is no longer needed.

I broke away from my thoughts for a moment and laid my straw mat on the sand. I decided to enjoy the breath-taking purple and orange of the setting sun. Both the scenery and the lazy rhythm of the tide transfixed me. I heard in my spirit an almost forgotten quote by Thomas Merton. "A saint is not someone who is good, rather someone who knows the goodness of God."

Immediately, I felt my very foundation undergoing a violent shaking. The first structures to fall were the steel beams of self-reliance! Soon, I found myself at ground level in the middle of a heap of sand. How could this have happened to me? My emotions were reeling back and forth from devastation to elation. Abruptly, I heard the voice of Jehovah. I looked up and saw His huge hand reach down to help me up out of the sand. I heard Him say, "Come, there are many more sights you have yet to see."

The sky had now darkened as He held up a lantern. I, somewhat childlike, began to trail behind Him. Instinctively, I knew I could trust my tour guide. After all, He spoke fluent Grace … and all I had to do was to gain a command of the language, and follow His footprints in the sand.

As He moved ahead, I noticed He slowly looked back at me. His tanned face creased into a half smile. I got the impression that I was not the first sojourner to lose my way. He turned back around. I faintly heard Him speaking while the gentle sea breeze delivered His Words to my ears, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)

I knew at that moment that I, more than likely, would become a native of this beautiful place called "Grace." Who knows - maybe one day I'll go to work for Jehovah as an assistant tour guide.

More Devotions on Spiritual Life

Devotion

Vacationing at God's Resort

By Missey Butler Guest Writer

By Missey Butler
Guest Writer