Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Lifeguard (11/09/06)
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TITLE: THE BEST LIFEGUARD EVER | Previous Challenge Entry
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11/16/06 -
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“Every time I think of this verse, it reminds me of the day a little boy was drowning,” Tyler addressed his VBS students. He leaned forward and focused on their bright faces as intently as he ever watched from his lifeguard station on the beach.
“The boy was just about your age, nine or ten, and he was playing in the surf. All of a sudden a big wave knocked him down and a riptide suuucked him under.” As Tyler illustrated with a sucking sound, ten quick intakes of breath matched his. Ten up-turned faces focused on his tanned one; ten sets of eyes locked on his.
Tyler loved the drama of working with the kids. Even more, he loved making the Word of God come alive to them. He knew these truths, internalized, had the power to guard their young lives from shipwreck. He had accepted Jesus at their age, and he was convinced that decision had saved his life repeatedly. If he could prevent even one of these kids from drowning in the sea of temptation and sin, it would be worth every effort.
Almost sub-consciously, he breathed a prayer for the hundredth time that the story would help them hide the principles of the Word in their hearts.
Tyler’s continued, “Green-blue water everywhere, sand swirling around, seaweed wrapping itself around him. The boy didn’t even know which way was up. The more he struggled, the tighter the seaweed got. ‘Jesus, help me!’ he cried in his mind.” Tyler clawed at the air, trying to get the “seaweed” away from his face and body.
“Suddenly the little boy’s head broke the surface. Gratefully, he choked in a breath of air to yell for help. But what he saw made him feel weak. The shore was so far away, he could barely see the people like little toys on the beach. No one could hear him from here. And even if he could get out of the seaweed, he could never swim so far!”
Pause for emphasis. Rebecca looked like she would cry. A couple of the boys sat shocked, with their mouths open.
Tyler pressed his advantage, “Suddenly, the seaweed tightened and pulled the boy under with the current again.”
Clutching at his throat, Tyler gasped, “Now he knew he was going to die. Why didn’t God help him? He might as well just give up.”
Another pause. “So there, under the water, the little boy gave himself up to God. ’Ok, Jesus,’ he whispered in his mind. ‘If you want me to die, I will. Just please take me to be with You.’ And the little boy just relaxed and let the seaweed…. carry… him… away.”
Suddenly, Tyler sat up straight with his hands on his knees and appeared to change the subject. His brown eyes showed a hint of a twinkle. “But, you know what? God had a plan after all. That’s the day I promised myself, and God, that I would be the best lifeguard ever, so that would never happen again.”
Rebecca’s hand was waving wildly. “But what happened to the little boy? Was he alright?”
Tyler’s slow smile crept from his eyes to his mouth. “Hmmm, what happened? Well, I think that’s a story for tomorrow’s verse. I guess you’ll just have to come back!…..Was he alright? Well, you be the judge of that. You see, I was that little boy! That day, when I gave my life to God, He gave it back to me with a goal and a dream. And that’s how I became a lifeguard!”
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Makes me want to hug Tyler.
Good Job on the win!