Sandcastles on the beach

Ever noticed how children like to build sandcastles on the beach? They do so knowing full well that the castles will not last. They are gone the moment the tide comes in or if someone comes a-running & knock them over.

As adults, little do we realise that our sandcastle-building tendency is very much alive in us but has taken on a different form. We now build seemingly more lasting sandcastles in the form of paper qualifications, career, business, family, and assets. We pour serious energy and resources into these efforts, believing that they are all worth the while. Little by little, we add more frills and thrills to our sandcastle collection. Day by day, our sandcastles look more elaborate and majestic. We labour on, enlarge our territory & bank accounts, and work hard to keep things together. Nonetheless, in the bigger scheme of things, these are just beautified and glorified sandcastles.

Think Aug 2005, when Hurricane Katrina struck. Thousands were killed in the most progressive & developed country in the world, and billions of dollars were wiped out. It triggered a global shortage in oil supply and many people in affected areas were left without proper housing, regular food and drinking water supply for weeks.

In Dec 2004, the deadly Asian tsunami came when people were eating, drinking and "merrying". Phuket had a thriving tourism & entertainment business, until they were literally washed out and the once-beautiful seas were covered with floating debris and bodies. Maps throughout Asia have to be re-drawn as many coastlines were permanently changed, where what used to be land is now under water.

In 2002 and 2003, people watched helplessly as thousands were killed by a deadly virus responsible for SARS. Life was brought to a standstill as schools and businesses were literally shut down as people were quarantined. A little cough in the public was enough to instill fear in those present. And suddenly, almost every household has a thermometer and disposable masks.

Rewind to Sep 11, 2001, when the former majestic twin towers of New York World Trade Center were flattened like a stack of cards, bringing along with their collapse, thousands of lives, businesses, billions of dollars, and yes, the pride of a nation.

In Mar 2000, the world of internet startups came to a standstill as the dot-com bubble burst right after what many hailed as a new economic boom, and many were left high and dry with bills to pay and no job in sight.

In Jul 1997, the Asian curency financial crisis instantly wiped out the value of land, stocks and various assets which people thought they were safe with. Many people committed suicide out of desperation and disbelief as their assets were rendered worthless.

And my point is?

Take God seriously for what He has to say about such things.

In Luke 12:15, Jesus said, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

In the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21), God said to him [the rich man], 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

Jesus went on to say in Luke 12:32-34: "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

If only we know the differences between sandcastle and the real thing in the life that we lead & learn to choose the latter, we will be spared of many futile expectations and crushed hopes.

May God bless you as you allow Him to free you from the tangles of worldly pursuits,

Thomas