80 The Swimming Pool
Danny loved swimming. It was summer and he would swim in his family's backyard swimming pool almost every day. He was a young boy and taught by his parents to never swim without parental supervision, and even then, to never swim in the deep end of the pool.
Danny's older brother Tim, on the other hand, never cared much for swimming. He would prefer to lounge by the pool and read while Danny was swimming and taunting him to come in and join him.
It was in the middle of August and Danny's parents was preparing for a summer party at their house. Danny's mother was busy making preparations in the kitchen, while Danny's father was grilling steaks in the backyard. Once again, Danny was swimming and Tim was reading by the pool.
Danny' father brought the steaks into the house and to get another batch for grilling. Danny was feeling a little bored, and decided against his parents' repeated warnings to swim in the deep end of the pool.
The deep end didn't seem so bad at first. Danny was able to dive down and pretend he was a scuba diver scouring the ocean floor. However, after a while, Danny started to get tired. When he swam to the surface, he was in the middle of the deep end and couldn't seem to get to edges of the pool.
Danny started sinking and flailing in the water. He panicked and tried to call out for help, but all he ended up doing was choking on water! Danny was drowning! Fear gripped Danny and his muscles seemed to be paralyzed. As he started to black out and lose consciousness, he heard a loud splash in the water...
The next thing Danny knew, he was coughing and spitting out water. He was lying by the poolside and he realized that his brother Tim was leaning over him. Tim saw that Danny was drowning and he jumped in and pulled his brother out of the pool! Danny's parents rushed out when they heard Tim yell out for help just before he dived into the water after Danny.
Danny thanked his brother and apologized to his frantic parents for not listening to their warnings about the deep end of the pool. He thought he was a good swimmer, but now Danny truly realized how dangerous the deep end of the pool could be.
Oftentimes, we don't understand sin and death fully, until they are in our face. Avoid the temptations of the world, for though they may seem fun and harmless now, they can produce disastrous consequences in your life! Swim carefully in this world and let Jesus be the lifeguard in your life!
- Recommended reading: James 1:14-16, 1 John 5:4
