No Turning Back

There is a secluded part of our beach that can only be reached near low tide. It's so beautiful, it feels like being on a desert island. I know it like the back of my hand, so it's surprising to say that I once was cut off by the tide.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts, I lost track of time. Driven by a strong on-shore wind, the angry sea had cut off my retreat. I seriously considered swimming around the promontory, but eventually dismissed that as being too dangerous. I could easily have drowned.If I couldn’t return the familiar way, what was the alternative? I didn’t fancy spending the night out there at that time of year.

Suddenly I remembered there used to be a rope that hung down the side of the cliff. It had been put there by sun-worshippers to enable a short cut from the woods above. I soon found it and reached up and gave the ragged end a tentative tug. This was to be my lifeline, but I wondered if it would be secure? It probably hadn’t been used all winter.

I stepped back and considered my options. Well, there weren’t any really, this was the only way forward. But it seemed very risky. Eventually, I looped the rope around my waist and willed myself to go up. It had to take my full weight as I pulled myself up the scree-strewn rocks. Soon there were dubious handholds here and there, until I came to a very narrow goat track ascending into the trees. There was a terrific sense of relief and achievement as I made my way through the cliff-side woods to the road and the way home.

This was at a time when I was being challenged to go forward into an unknown and frightening situation. It taught me a vital real life lesson. God is always doing a new thing and no matter how good or bad the last experience was we have to leave it behind and move forward with God without looking back. He will never let us down.

"But Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt." Genesis 19:26 Good News Bible

"But the LORD says, "Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already---you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there." Isaiah 43:18-19 Good News Bible