Lessons from the bog

I could not have been more than 6 years old when my encounter with the bog left a lifetime impression on me.
It was during an era when children played outside, and every parent in the neighborhood was your parent too. My older siblings had gone to the Surf Hut, a local hangout at our Cedar Island home.
Stepping from the front door, I saw the hut an eye’s distance and an easy walk down two gravel roads. However, between the house and the hut was an inlet that created a shorter distance. At low tide, it was a sheet of black mud that looked easy to navigate, even though I knew it was against the rules. One time would not hurt.
I never realized how deep the bog could be until I was stuck up to my knees in the black sludge. I stood in the middle of the muck, unable to move. The more I tried to free myself, the deeper I went. Nonetheless, I still felt brave enough to free myself. Brave enough, that is, until I saw movement in my peripheral vision.
There it was, my new motivation, the meanest-looking crab I had ever seen. His giant claws raised in battle. The only thing between him and my bare feet was the mire he could navigate, and I could not. When he disappeared beneath the surface, my loud cries rang out, calling my siblings to come to my rescue.
My oldest brother managed to reach me and pull me free. He handed me to my sister, who gave me to my other sister, who tossed me to solid ground. Then, I watched my siblings lock arms, using each other’s strength to free themselves.
We can learn lessons from our childhood. The first lesson from the mud is that shortcuts in life lead to sticky situations. King David took a shortcut when he failed to read the scrolls regarding the transfer of the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 6). It cost his friend, Uzzah, his life. Later, King David writes about the snares of Satan and the protective power of God in Psalm 91.
The second lesson comes from the crab. Satan can navigate this world in places we have no business going. Satan deceived Eve in Genesis and tempted Jesus in the wilderness. He is not afraid of testing us. That is why Paul writes that we are to put on the complete armor of God in Ephesians 6:11 so we can stand against Satan.
Lesson three comes from my siblings: We need each other to help us out of this world’s bog. They came to my rescue and then relied on each other’s strength to free themselves. Are we not the same? A brother falls, and a friend helps him up. One is cold, and another helps to keep them warm. Braid a three-stranded cord together; it will be strong against the forces of this world (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
My final take from that day is this: No matter where we are, we can cry out to the Father. He hears us and can set us free. He is ready to run to our rescue. The Lord remains amid His people. He is strong, and He will rescue those who love Him. His love quiets our spirit. He delights over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). So wherever you are, whatever your bog may be, call upon your Heavenly Father and allow Him to lift you to safety.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles Psalm 34:17.

Cheryl Mixon-Cruce is Pastor of Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Church and Sopchoppy United Methodist Church.