Tomas Lopez settled down in his high chair under a big umbrella for shade and watched the surf for any swimmers in trouble. He was one of several young lifeguards on duty at the Hallandale Beach on the east coast of Florida.
In early July the beaches were busy on hot summer days. It was summer vacation time for families with children out of school. So there were lots of people enjoying the waves and lots of people for the lifeguards to carefully watch.
Suddenly somebody on the beach pointed out to Tomas a swimmer struggling in an “unprotected” part of the beach. The area the person was in was out-of-bounds for swimmers. There were signs posted so people would know where they could safely swim with lifeguards on duty and also where swimming was not allowed.
I wonder what thoughts went through Tomas’s mind. Did he think, “Oh well, he should know better than to swim in that area”? Or did he say, “I’m not going over there to risk my life for somebody who won’t obey the signs”?
Actually, Tomas did not waste a second! He ran quite a distance and went to help a man who needed to be rescued. Then the man was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
What Tomas did not expect was what happened next. He was fired from his lifeguard job for leaving his assigned part of the beach. He said later, “I would do it again—it was the right decision.”
This story made me think of the Bible verse: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)). This verse is saying that Jesus came to save people who were out-of-bounds—people who had done things that were wrong. That’s what the word “sinner” means. A sin is not obeying God’s rules that He gives in the Bible, and anyone who sins is a sinner. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). That includes you and me.
Speaking for myself, I know I crossed the line many times to do my own will, to do what felt good. I knew what the Bible said, but I did what I wanted anyway. I thought I could live the way I wanted and didn’t think about the eyes of God. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:33The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3)).
But I thank God He did not leave me out-of-bounds. He loved me and was interested in me, and He knew every time I strayed. Yes, that’s why Jesus Christ came. The Bible puts it this way. “The Son of Man [Jesus] came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)).
Children and grown-ups too, He knows every time you cross the line and are out-of-bounds. He sees you and wants to rescue you, because He loves you so much He died for you. Will you call on Him to do this? He has saved others, and He will do it again. He’s not worried about being fired.
Here is an encouragement for you: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)).
ML-10/06/2013