Boy at the Beach
There once was a boy who was not as curious as a boy at his age should be. He was a quiet young lad and often sat in the corner of the living room reading some book on wildlife. He wouldn’t read the words; he would only look at the pictures; and for him that was good enough. His father came down to find his son in the usually spot day after day and made it a priority to give him some sound advice.
“Son,” said his father, “why don’t you get your pale and shovel and play at the beach?”
The boy sighed deeply, returning to his book.
“Come on, you may learn something that books cannot teach you. Just for five minutes.”
“Five minutes,” replied the boy as if in pain.
“Outside,” demanded his father, “it will do you some good.”
So the boy stomped upstairs to his room to fetch is pale and shovel. Out he went to the beach, disgruntled by his father’s words. The sun was settling on the sandy prairie, which gave it a remarkable orange glow that the boy missed entirely; for he was moping, and when one mopes, they miss out on beautiful things. Nonetheless, the boy continued his journey and to his right he saw a group of children playing tag. He did not dare to ask to join; he preferred to be alone. The boy walked alone the shore, still under his melancholy state; however, his mood distracted him so that he had forgotten how far he was traveling from home.
Soon the voices of the children had fallen away and his house was out of sight. Finally he realized he was lost. It was beginning to get dark and there is nothing worst than being alone in the dark, so the boy was afraid. The boy sat with his head in his hands and began to cry.
“Excuse me David,” said a voice from behind.
David stood up, but did not answer at first. Yet, the man had a peaceful demeanor about him; it was divine, if David could have found the word.
“Hello,” said the man, “Are you all right?”
“No, I am lost.”
” Can I keep you company for awhile?” replied the man.
“Sure my name is…”
David stopped remembering his parents clear instructions about not talking to strangers.
“I don’t even know your name. My mom and dad said not to talk to people I don’t know. You’re a stranger.”
” I know. Your parents have made me a stranger to you,” said the man, “But I will give you my name, I have a few: Son of Man, Alpha and Omega, or simply Lord. But Jesus is proper.”
“Nice to meet you,” replied the boy extending his hand to shake.
“And it is nice to meet you David.”
“I’ve heard those names before,” said David, “My parents go to church every Christmas. Some kid’s say “Mr. J” when referring to you. Is it all right for me to call you that?”
“I see why not. Ah, I see you have been exploring today. Would you like to know something very important?”
” I see why not.” replied David, with a smile.
Mr. J grabbed David’s hand and they walked a little further along the beach. It came to pass that David was sitting on a rock with Mr. J overlooking the sea. Below were men and women. Some were on the beach, some were standing in the water, and there were others swimming in the deep near the horizon.
“This is a strange scene,” said David, “What does it all mean?”
“There are three types of people you see there: those that stay on the beach; those that just step in the water; and those venturing further in.”
David understood this so far, but he had an idea that there was more to this. He continued to listen.
“Those that stay on the beach care not for me. They go about their lives with money and other concerns of the world. They see those things before they see me. Those that step into the water have accepted me as Lord and Savior.”
“But they’re just standing there. Why haven’t they moved like the others?”
“They choose not to,” said Jesus, “They only want me to go to heaven, nothing more.”
“There’s more?” replied David.
“More than you can imagine.”
Mr. J was silent for awhile, and then he continued to teach David.
“Now, the ones that have ventured out further to swim are learning to be more like me. They struggle yet never drown under the waves.”
“Do they stay there forever?”
” No, at an appointed time I come for them to be with me.”
“All of them?” replied the boy.
“Only those in the water,” said Jesus.
David was surprised. Before he could ask his question, Mr. J continued.
“The reason I come for those in the water is because of the gift I gave to all of them.”
“And what is that?”
“My life.” said Jesus.
” But those on the beach, can they come in the water?”
“Anyone can come, but many things prevent that. The ocean is always open for them, but the choice is for them to make.”
Suddenly, David saw a magnificent sight. Those that were swimming in the sea would return to shore to chat with those on the beach or in shallow water. David could not hear what was being said.
“Hey, what are they talking about?”
“About sports, education, politics, and things that men are involved with. But there are times when business of life comes up, it always does: men cannot get away from it.”
“Does your name come up?”
“Quite often,” replied Jesus, “The people that swim to shore come to share my name. Yet some still reject, but others, like that young man (he points him out to David ) respond to my name,” he said with a smile, “Others take time to come to me, while some…..”
Mr. J stopped briefly giving David time to ask a question.
“What?” replied the boy,” What happens to others?”
“Some never come.”
“But isn’t it silly to force them to accept you just to go with you? And where are you going anyway? And why can’t they come without your approval?”
“David,” replied Mr. J, as he placed his hand on his head, “Do you know how I died for all of them.”
David shook his head.
” I was beaten and bruised; spitted upon and mocked; whipped and beaten beyond measure, so that they would not have to. Now is that the character a silly man?”
“Well, no,” said David.
“To answer your second question, I am going to heaven and I want all to join me. The reason they must follow me goes all the way back to my Father.”
” Father?” asked David.
“God. He made the planets and the stars. He made your mom and dad, even you. He made the people you see there and since heaven is His, He makes the rules.”
“Just like the rules my parents make for me at home.”
“Correct.” replied Mr. J
There was much more the two spoke of, but soon David returned home. He thought over what Mr. J had said. He told his parents, but of course they scolded him for talking to strangers. David knew different and in his room he looked up into the sky, smiled, and went to sleep. Most living today have never seen Mr. J up close, but many have and what He says was as true then as it is now. Consider the beach and those that were on it, and remember the ocean is always open for you to swim in.
