Channels in the Sand

05.06.2024

When my son was a young child he loved to dig in the sand. At the beach or in the sandbox. He would grab my hand and we would spend the next hour or so scooping, heaping, shaping, and digging. There was a story created as we worked. The plot line became more intricate. Characters emerged. The story grew. Water was always involved. There had to be canals and channels in the sand to guide and direct the water whether it came from the seaside, lake, or water hose. Sand was the medium and water was the inspiration for the creations. Though the creations never survived the rising tide, blowing winds, or falling rain I always marveled at the imagination that created them rich in story. The story remained in our minds and memory.

There is a passage in the Bible that talks about building on sand. It is found in the New Testament in the Gospel of Matthew:

Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV): "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

This passage is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount emphasizing the importance of acting on His teachings rather than just hearing them. Building on a solid foundation (the rock) is equated with living according to Jesus' words, avoiding a downfall when life's trials come.

There is truth in the stories we create. There are also falsehoods. Our actions and behaviors are like the sand. Faith and belief, like water, is the inspiration. Living life is not so different than building sand castles on the beach. There is a purpose in the building, scooping, heaping, and digging. All the while we create purpose, develop character, and craft a plot line to explain it all. 

There is another teaching that comes to mind, the only Bible story that describes Jesus writing or drawing in the sand. It is found in the Gospel of

John 8:1-11:

This passage tells the story of a woman caught in adultery who is brought before Jesus by the Pharisees and scribes. They asked Him whether she should be stoned according to the Law of Moses. Instead of immediately responding, Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with His finger. The text does not specify what He wrote. When the accusers continued to question Him, Jesus said, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Then, He stooped down and wrote on the ground again. One by one, the accusers left until only Jesus and the woman remained. Jesus then tells the woman that He does not condemn her and instructs her to go and sin no more.

This story serves as a powerful lesson about judgment, forgiveness, and the grace of God.

If you’re breathing this is for you.