Waves... Waves are amazing. Waves have 2 stories to tell. I can completely see God's amazing Love and His powerful Wrath in the waves... it all depends on your perspective...
I have always LOVED Water... I'm just like my Dad. I have ALWAYS LOVED and Treasured Water. So when I gaze upon waves.... The kid in me thinks about times on the boat, and fun in the swimming pool, and the amazing feeling of waves pushing on me in their own rhythm. The Science Nerd & teacher in me reflects about how incredibly AMAZING water actually is. How God created water so differently than all other liquids, to have properties that conserve life, sustain life, and make the standard for other compounds to be compared. The Nurse in me thinks about how important water is for all of life's normal, regular, "routine" processes and without it means death.
However... this year in Rio... I saw something a bit different. There is always TWO SIDES to every story. When I see waves, and water, I see PEACE, TRANQUILITY, CALM. When some of my students who can't swim see water, they see POWER, PAIN, FEAR.
On Saturday, the waves were Beautiful... calming... rolling... It was amazing. On Monday, the waves were violent.... strong.... powerful.... fearsome.
Isn't GOD seen as these two massive contrasts?? Isn't HE BOTH the God of Love and the God of Wrath? I think it all depends on perspective!!
As a Child of God, I see Him as a God of Love, Mercy, and Massive Patience. As we study Revelation in our youth Sunday School class... we can also see God as an ALMIGHTY Judge who will Unleash His Holy Wrath when His time comes.
Just as the waves... We must have a HEALTHY FEAR of the Ocean and of Waves. For we know that in an instant, the Power of the Waves will overcome us and we will be Powerless. We MUST have a HEALTHY FEAR of God... and His Wrath and Judgement that will come.
There is also the Dual Perspective of... On Which side do you Stand? Are you standing FIRMLY on the SOLID ROCK of Jesus Christ, or are you Sinking and Struggling against the Sand, trying to do it on your own?
As you stand on the ROCK, on the shoreline, even Massive and Powerful waves aren't that oppressive. But as you wade out... sometimes much further out than is allowable and further than you had planned... the Waves are Scary.. they are as VIOLENT OPPRESORS... Unyielding, tormenting, creating Fear, Doubt, Struggle.
Is this not also our picture of our battle with Sin? We wade out... little by little... "It's ok.. it's not THAT deep... Other people are out here too"... then we get SWEPT IN! Getting in was so easy... Getting out can cost us our lives!
But we have the ALMIGHTY Lifeguard, who is ready, able, and WILLING to lend us a LIFE LINE... But we have to CALL OUT, REACH OUT and GRAB HOLD. We still have "ACTION" to do our our parts.
Thank you, Lord, that you are a God of Amazing Grace, Patience, and Love! We are a Shipwreck without You... to guide us, lead us, and strengthen us. Thank you! In Jesus' Name. Amen.
... One more thought... thanks for bearing with me! ... I've heard the little saying "Sometimes God calms the Storm... Sometimes He Calms his child." ... This is completely true. However, HIS decision as to which He chooses, I believe, has to do COMPLETELY with WHICH WILL BRING HIMSELF THE MOST GLORY!!! Are we fully giving HIM the GLORY, HONOR, and PRAISE no matter which He chooses to do???
1 comment:
Enjoyed your thoughts :) I've long considered God and water to be very similar. They both inspire awe and fear, they both take and give life. Isn't it fascinating how God superimposed himself everywhere on creation, just to give our finite minds a little feel for him?
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