After The Work

In my youth, I watched several television programs and movies that featured the hero slowly sinking into the ironically named quicksand pit. The frequent use of the trope gave the impression I should be more concerned about quicksand being a larger part of my potential future. (I have not encountered quicksand thus far in all my hiking through various ecosystems). The Princess Bride featured a twist on the subject, having Westley diving back into the pit and rescuing his One True Love whilst holding a vine to pull them both back out. The quicksand trope often left the victim of the pit needed someone render aid, the rescuer often racing against time to rescue them just as they are about to disappear below.

Upon reflection, perhaps what appeals to the viewer about the quicksand trope is how it parallels how life or our choices can make us feel: Trapped, struggling, and no matter how we move we cannot get out. We vicariously share with the victim the anxiety of slowly sinking into the earth, powerless to join the depths of our inevitable grave. This feeling is far more common than actual quicksand, feeling trapped while time slowly ushers us into the end of life. Perhaps that is why quicksand is so compelling.

The Kingdom of God shows us that we need not feel trapped in life, but have sure-footedness during our time on earth. Matthew writes in 7:24, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” This implies that our selfish choices are like quicksand, but following the God of the Universe is the solid ground. It reassures us that faith in God gives us not only a solid foundation in life, but His teachings gives us direction on how we make choices while we are here on earth. We need not fear the times that may feel we are trapped in the “quicksand” times in our lives.

We are called to first listen to God’s teaching. Calls to love God and love our neighbor as our self is the greatest of all these teachings. It compels us to not only focus upon God during our life as our lifeline, but to assist other people out of the “quicksand” as it were, putting his teachings into practice. It is reassuring to know that listening and acting upon God’s direction provides us with a sense of security. It combats our feelings of being trapped in a rut, having no direction, or feelings of isolation.

What happens internally is that our focus shifts from self-centered fear to outside of ourselves. Self reflection can be a good exercise, but dwelling within ultimately becomes an exercise in anxiety or false pride. Much like a plant grows towards the sun, we must reach our attention towards the Light, allowing the darkness to fall away. If we do feel trapped, as if in quicksand, we can see God handing us a vine by which we pull ourselves back to solid ground.

God is more than able to pull us out of life’s trials of many kinds, be it through a solution by which we can pull ourselves out of a rut or a rescuer who demonstrates selfless love and concern for us. In either case, if we remain silent as we sink, we are far more likely to sink and sink without aid. It is when we call out in prayer or ask for assistance do we find God sending aid through his son Jesus.

We can believe we don’t need anyone or anything to help us, but life will prove itself the contrary. We should avoid the false pride that tells us we do not need anyone in life, nor should we consider thrashing about through life trying to save ourselves. It is when we are still, listen, and seize the opportunity before us do we find the way to solid ground. God will provide the way if we take each day to put his words into practice.