Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Cheryl Boardman
Monday, April 15, 2024
Do you remember learning the Ten Commandments as a kid (if you grew up in church)? “You shall not steal” is pretty straightforward! If something is not yours and nobody gave you permission to use it or borrow it, taking it is stealing!
You shall not steal. Exodus 20:15 (NKJV)
If this photo doesn’t seem to be very clear, it’s because I took it from a dock and this bike was underwater! I had to do some editing to even get it show up this well. I don’t know why it would have wound up in salt water, no less, off of a town dock in the San Juan Islands, but I can’t think of any good reason other than it was stolen. I would hope the owner wouldn’t have treated it this way. Was it for revenge or just pure mischief? I guess we’ll never know but whatever the reason, it seems to be quite a waste of what seems like a pretty nice bike and what was probably someone’s main source of getting around on an island where transportation options are limited.
I’m looking forward to a time when there is a new heaven and a new earth and when we won’t have to worry about such things anymore! As John wrote about his last vision:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and there was no sea anymore. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It was prepared like a bride dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Now God’s presence is with people, and he will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain, because all the old ways are gone.” Revelation 21:1-4 NCV