Dr. Orrison Swett Marden (1850-1924) lost his mother when he was only three years old.  For the next few years, he spent much of his childhood hunting, fishing, and trapping in the coastal state of New Hampshire with his father.  Sadly, Marden’s father died when Marden was only seven.

Marden and his two sisters where shuffled around from one guardian to another throughout the rest of their childhood.  Marden often had to work to “earn his keep.”

But he persevered.  He even worked his way through college.  Although he suffered many setbacks and personal tragedies in his life, he never gave up.

Later in life, Dr. Marden, reflecting on personal initiative, wrote a piece about “human lobsters”:

“A lobster when left high and dry among the rocks, has not instinct and energy enough to work his way back to the sea, but waits for the sea to come to him.

If it does not come, he remains where he is and dies, although the slightest effort would enable him to reach the waves, which are perhaps within a yard of him.

The world is full of human lobsters: men stranded on the rocks of indecision and procrastination, who, instead of putting forth their own energies are waiting for some grand billow of good fortune to set them afloat.” *

In a sense, you and I have been “left high and dry among the rocks” – not because of our circumstances, but because of our SIN.  If we remain “where we are,” we’ll die; “for the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

Some are like stranded lobsters waiting for God to “move” and come to their rescue.

The truth is: He has already “moved” (acted)!

God loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16).   Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), but God “bridged the gap” by giving His Son to pay the price for our redemption through His death on the cross (Ephesians 1:7).  God has already made our salvation possible through Christ (Acts 4:12); the “work” of reconciliation has been completed (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)!  Now it is up to us to accept His offer of salvation on His terms.

God has promised to save those who will place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse those who continue to follow Him faithfully (1 John 1:7).

Don’t remain stranded on the rocks of indecision and procrastination!  Accept His offer of salvation and eternal life by trusting and obeying Jesus today!

“And now why are YOU waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” – Acts 22:16

Won’t YOU accept His offer?