We found ourselves in a 4WD vehicle on the sands of the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. Our purpose was to find and admire the wild horses living there; however, most of the people on the beach were there for a different reason: to admire the sun and the sand!

It soon became apparent to us that many of the tourists were not adequately prepared to even be there, for they didn’t drive 4WD vehicles. Some of these ended up getting stuck in the sand right at the entrance to the beach.

Having a 4WD, however, doesn’t ensure you can go anywhere in these dunes. We also saw a few 4WD vehicles stuck in the sand!

In order to prepare your vehicle in advance, it is imperative that you lower the pressure in your tires to about 20 PSI, so that the tires can achieve better traction with the sand. It is also important to ensure àdequate clearance. Otherwise, you will scrape the underside of your vehicle on the sand. Finally, an element of common sense is also strongly suggested.

Unfortunately for all those unprepared vehicles we saw, the cost of being set free is exuberant. 500$ if you are a little bit stuck, and 1000$ if you are really stuck. Thus, being prepared is vital!

“God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us-an unbelievable inheritance!” (Rom 8:16-17b, MSG)

There is no doubt: once God’s Holy Spirit dwells in us, we know with certainty that we are part of God’s family, confirming that we are heirs of our Heavenly Father. In simple words; We are saved! Doesn’t this fill us with adrenaline?

Sadly, how many believers are unsurec of their salvation? By digging a bit deeper, I have found that though these believers know of the Holy Spirit, they truly don’t know Him personally. How sad! It’s like getting married to yourself. No spouse! They are unprepared for the reality of God’s perspective!

Something amazing happens though when we welcome God’s presence through His Holy Spirit. He starts to dwell in us, and He is the One who is “guaranteeing what is to come.” (2Cor 1:22b, NIV2)

Unlike those who don’t know him, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1Cor 2:14, NIV2) In other words, those who doubt their salvation, do not know God’s Holy Spirit personally. They have never acknowledged Him or invited Him into their lives. They are the ones who are not prepared for God’s presence.

It must be scary for these believers to always wonder if they are “good enough”. However, there is a simple solution: Prayerfully invite God’s Holy Spirit to dwell in you. Welcome Him with open arms and cherish His presence. It will change your life dramatically for the better. You will never ever be alone. He will be there for you at all times, and He will assure you that you are indeed saved for eternity. He is the only One who can guarantee this. No one else can do so.

Don’t remain stuck in the sand. Invite the One who can unstuck you for free!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Radical Grace From the Book of Romans” devotional series, please click here.)