Have you ever made a foxhole promise? You know, a promise made when you are in deep trouble? I remember mine, but it wasn’t in a foxhole, a car accident or after a failing grade at school. It was in the surf at Monastery Beach, California. I was scuba diving. Our group went out under what didn’t seem to be a scary surf. The underwater colors, plants and fish were amazing! It was more fantastic than a walk in a park or a forest. To say I was captivated is an understatement, and I stayed down too long–so long I was nearly out of air.
I started back the wrong way and got tangled in kelp. My instructor recognized my situation and came to cut the kelp away and lead me around it. We were still a long way from shore. The instructor taught us in class that when we climbed out of the surf to plant our fingers into the sand during a surf. When we came out of the water, the surf was at least 8 to 10 feet over our heads. I panicked and raced up the beach on my hands and knees. The surf slammed me into the sand and the surge pushed me onto my back. It grabbed the regulator and mask off of my face. The weights and tank on my back made it impossible for me to turn over to crawl up the beach.
Tossed around by the surf and surge, I didn’t think I would get out alive. “O Lord,” I cried. “If you get me out of this mess, I promise I’ll go back to church. I’ll make my life right with you.” The instructor motioned to people on the beach for help. It took seven men to rescue this panicked woman out of the water that day. All I could think about was my children waiting on the beach for me. I had to make it out for them.
THINK ABOUT IT
Most people don’t remember their foxhole promises, much less keep them. However, I did start back to church, and I took my children with me. My life didn’t change right away, but it changed. I dusted off my Bible and began to read it. Every word seemed to jump off the page and into my heart. I didn’t know how to pray. All I could say was, “Thank you, Jesus,” so thankful that the God of the universe loved even me–divorced and self-indulged. I learned that “Thank you, Jesus” is a powerful prayer. I grew more and more thankful for God’s mercy and His amazing love.
What about you? Do you feel desperate and alone? Do you think you’ve made way too many mistakes for God to love you? It’s not true. God loved you so much He gave His only Son to die on the cross for your forgiveness and eternal life with Him (John 3:16). He did that while you were still sinning. When you believe that and confess the need for God in your life, you will be saved from the pits of hell and for an abundant life.
PRAY ABOUT IT
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for Jesus and the sacrifice He made for my redemption. Open the eyes off my heart to see your presence in my life and help me to be more like Jesus. In His great name I pray, Amen.
Tell Me the Story 