As summer is well under way here at the beautiful Gold Coast the beach is the place to be (Except for Sunday morning between 8.30 and 11). There isnt anything better than watching the surf roll in, going for a swim and laying on the beach. But with that comes the dangerous, devilish and sometimes delightful beach bodies!! Those bikini clad girls and the speedo wearing old man (thats the devilish part) begin to strut their stuff on the white sands of the Coast.
My kids (thats Jaaden my son surfing in the photo) would be horrified if ever I wore anything that resembled speedos, there horrified by the simple fact that I take my shirt off at the beach, but for some its a sign of confidence or ignorance that allows theme to "do there thing" by wearing such an embarrasing piece of clothing.
Anyway enough about budgy smugglers!!
Whilst reading 2 Samuel about David and his encounter with Bethsheba I looked up the meaning of a simple word that has some real value for us to learn when it comes to "looking away from temptation".
2 Samuel 11:2 (NIV) One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful,
The word saw comes from the Hebrew word ra'ah which implies an extended gaze with enjoyment.
When you notice someone attractive, you can say or think, "That is a nice looking person", but when we rrrraaaaa'aaaaahhh, "Did you see that, Whoa baby, give me some of that", then that is heading for disaster.
A wise old Pastor friend of mine gave some advice many years ago about this subject. He said "Your first look belongs to God, its when we appreciate His creation, but the second look belongs to us, thats when we want His creation". Not real spiritual but very practical. So enjoy the warmth of summer and ra'ah the things that will get you closer to Him.
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