In 1969 I was stationed in Turkey. Our base was located on the Marmara Sea. We had a beach, boats & swimming area. It was great. It was there I learned a lesson that almost cost me my life.

We had been at the beach swimming all day and as guys will do, I threw my roommate’s shoe out in the swim area. He did the same with my shoes until both shoes were floating out to sea. I recovered one shoe, but the other one escaped my reach. When it got to the rope, I thought that would hold it, but a wave pushed it over the rope. Without thinking I swam harder, under the rope and then I finally grabbed it. When I turned around to show my buddies my trophy shoe…they were too far away for us to hear each other. BAM! Fear set in. Suddenly I was exhausted. I didn’t have the strength to swim back…and yet I was drifting further out to sea. I quickly knew if I panicked or even tried to scream for help, I would drown. Then the idea of rolling over on my back, paddling myself back to the rope came to me. Exhausted and scared, I finally made it back to the beach with my shoe. I almost lost my life for a shoe with a hole in the sole as big as a silver dollar!

15 years later I almost drowned again. This time it was in the sea of pride, chasing another worthless shoe…becoming wealthy. I was losing my wife & family, business was spiraling to the bottom, and I was losing my will to live, when I heard a voice, “Have you had enough, or do you want more of this?” The memory of my mother, sitting in her chair with her Bible in her lap rushed over my spirit as I cried out, “I’ve had enough…Help Me!”

Maybe you are past the ropes, or you have been so busy that you have lost your bearings…but there is Only One Worthy, Only One Redeemer, Only One Hope, Jesus. “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

The things of this world are all worthless shoes. Our worth is found in Jesus. The thief on the cross gives us the example of the Power to Redeem when he said, “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:41-43.98