(by Lorie Codispoti)
Have you ever stepped into quicksand? I have.
We were not allowed to play in the marshes behind our grandparent’s house, but the curious explorer in me couldn’t help but wonder what kind of treasures lay hidden in the tall grass. My day of discovery came when curiosity got the best of me & I ventured into the quagmire. I was absolutely convinced that what I was about to discover would far outweigh the consequences of disobedience. I was wrong!
I knew the moment I stepped off the path I was in trouble. The mud was like a living creature who showed no mercy in grabbing my foot & sucking me into the dark, muddy abyss. With much effort I managed to escape, but not before the monster confiscated my shoes & claimed them for himself. To this very day they remain entombed in a watery grave. Legend has it that as the tide recedes you can hear the daily cry of empty shoes calling out for the feet that once filled them. I know, it’s pretty sad!
BEWARE THE TRAP
There’s something very energizing about an enthusiastic visionary, but without a Guide to help them traverse the maze of an uncharted mire, they will, at some point along the way, fall victim to the mud monster.
When someone assumes a position of authority (large or small) there are three critical things they need if they desire to lead well … (1) discernment (developed with experience), (2) self discipline (rooted in conviction), & (3) the integrity needed to stand firm in the face of adversity. Even the most sincere leader can be seduced by the promise of fame, fortune & power.
But it doesn’t have to be that way!
HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE
“When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will GUIDE you into all truth…” (Jn.16:13)
Like me, you may not have had the benefit of a godly mentor to help you navigate your way as a spouse or parent. You may have lacked the assistance you needed when you assumed a position of leadership… in your church, your volunteer work, or at your place of employment. You simply had a vision & enthusiastically set out into uncharted territory. No one warned you of the monster in the mud.
Quicksand is scary because, at first glance, it appears solid & safe. But if you step on it the ground immediately liquifies under your feet. To avoid contact, an experienced Guide will teach you how to… 1) eye the terrain & recognize the danger zones, & 2) use a walking stick to tap the ground & test before you step.
What a beautiful picture of how the Holy Spirit operates in our lives. He goes before us, both protecting & training us on how to avoid the traps set by our enemy.
King David prayed, “Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers.” (Psa.141:1)
THE WAY OF ESCAPE
Most of us are familiar with Holywood’s interpretations of quicksand. Think about that horrific scene in The Princess Bride, when our hero Wesley rescues Princess Buttercup from one of the three terrors of the Fire Swamp - quicksand! (Every time I watch that scene I hold my breath until they return to the surface safely.)
The interesting thing that most people don’t know about quicksand is that it won’t swallow you whole; you’ll only sink up to your waist. Nevertheless, one must take certain steps to escape its grip, steps that correlate nicely with those we need to escape Satan’s traps:
- Eliminate excess weight. (“…let us throw off everything that hinders & the sin that so easily entangles.” (Heb.12:1))
- Backstep to solid ground. (“He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, & set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” (Psa.40:2))
- Keep your head & arms above the surface. (“… he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’” (Mtt.14:30))
- Use your resources. (“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” (2Pet.1:3))
- And, the one that requires the most faith - Relax, let go, lay on your back & breathe deep. (“…faith apart from works is useless.” (Jms.2:20))
“Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress; & for your name's sake you lead me and GUIDE me.” (Psa.31:2-3)
Our enemy would have us believe there is no escape once we step into his territory, but he’s a liar! No one - even a fallen leader - is beyond God’s reach when they cry out for help.
“Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.” (Psa.119:133)
THE BEAUTY OF MUD
Can anything good come out of a mud pit? Yes, a thousand times yes! People pay big bucks for mud baths. Their benefits range from drawing out impurities to relaxing & relieving the body of pain.
Much of this life requires navigating your way through a quagmire of unknowns. While it’s important to avoid the quicksand, there are times we step in & begin to sink. The good news is that God doesn’t leave us there. Not only will He rescue us from what our enemy means for evil, but He uses the mud to draw out the impurities that weigh us down.
So the next time the mud monster has you in his grip, let him have your shoes. Jesus paid the price for you to have a beautiful, new wardrobe - & it’s stain resistant!
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