Warning No Lifeguard on Duty

May 7, 2025

The sun was shining brightly in the Florida sky with the warm rays kissing our toasted cheeks and dancing on the small ripples of water in the crystal-clear pool. The smell of liquid-smoke billowed from inside the rusty barbecue. It felt like summertime, but it was a family Christmas vacation in Florida for our Michigan families that hadn’t seen each other (or the sun) in what felt like months.

Cousins were running and playing, siblings were connecting, the sons-in-law were recouping from a hectic and heavy workload, and parents were reminiscing and enjoying the family being together. It was a lazy day around the poolside. Though it was warm, the water was brisk. We were still giving ourselves a pep talk to get into the pool! You know it must be a little cold if the kids were not even in the pool yet!

There was no red or blue sign hanging from the lanai stating: “Warning No Lifeguard on Duty.” Even if there would have been a sign, I don’t know that we would have paid attention. Do you know the signs I am describing? You often see them before stepping onto the sandy ocean beaches or at lakes, quarries, rivers, and reservoirs. It’s a caution warning guests they are swimming at their own risk—something to certainly take note of. Extra caution is required because there could be serious consequences. How many times have you walked past signs like these and dismissed them?

My niece, who was almost three, stood on the edge of the pool mesmerized by the sparkling water. She was cautious as she stood a few feet back from the water’s edge enjoying the view. We all carried on, enjoying great poolside conversation while continuing to keep an eye on her, the baby of the bunch. In an instant, with no warning, she fell into the water. It caught everyone off guard. My daughter, who was the closest to the scene, jumped into the pool to swim toward her. It felt like a horrific clip out of a movie.

Of course there was no official lifeguard on duty. The one closest to the situation took the leap without hesitation to rescue Taylor who was bobbing up and down, gasping for air every time she could surface. Though it was seconds, it felt like forever. It was far too long to be off solid ground and fighting for life. Amidst the screams, gasps, fret, and fury she was pulled from the water by an 8-year-old who saw the danger and acted without hesitation. What an alarming situation. We were so thankful the Lord helped us through and for the quick response of the one closest to her.

What would you have done? Would you have simply watched, or would you have jumped in? I would venture to say if you were able, you would have jumped in to help someone who was drowning.

You can imagine we had a sobering awareness of the danger every second after. We still had a great vacation, but lived differently after that moment.

As the vacation came to an end, we visited one of the local tourist shops—the ones with salty taffy, flip-flops, bright beach towels, and hundreds of t-shirts! Hanging on the wall was a display of recognizable, candy-apple red t-shirts that said, “Lifeguard” in bold, white print. We had to get it for our little eight-year-old lifeguard who didn’t think twice about helping someone in need.

The reality is, there are people all around us spiritually dying. They need Jesus as their Savior. Sometimes I can live life somewhat calloused or unaware of my surroundings. It can be like the “Warning No Lifeguard On Duty” sign. Whether it’s posted or not, I disregard the warnings. In many cases, I have read it or heard it so many times, I may not even acknowledge the ramifications.

Do you heed warnings? The Bible is filled with promises, hope, blessings, and warnings. There are scriptures throughout the Bible that have warnings for us all. Here are two:

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Hebrews 2:1-4

“Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,where your fathers put Me to the test and saw My works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, “They always go astray in their heart; they have not known My ways.” As I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.’”Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.” Hebrews 3:7-12

It’s time we take note for ourselves and those around us. Put on your red, spiritual lifeguard t-shirt, so-to-speak, and be on the lookout for those around you that need Jesus as their lifeline. It’s not just earthly lives that are at risk—eternal souls are at stake. You can help throw a lifesaver and introduce people to Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

Will you keep a healthy awareness that eternity is on the line for souls all around you? Please don’t overlook the warning signs! Who around you needs a lifeline to Jesus? Will you jump in and help them?

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