The Waters

On our way home from Bedford last Friday, Kemper and I parked the car and hiked down to a little water fall off the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We sat on some rocks at the top of the falls, where the water was just starting to cascade from the plateau above us.  Kemper enjoyed finding brightly colored leaves to drop in the stream and watch them travel down past us and over the falls.  Each time a leaf would dance and spin down the  currents only to be pressed beneath the water and under a rock ledge.  After a few seconds of this however, the leaf would pop back up and spin back into the current and on its way.

Today, I am thinking that is a pretty good metaphor for life.  How often do we find ourselves skipping happily along only to find ourselves suddenly overwhelmed by something that seems to crush us, force us into darkness in a blinding rush.  An illness, a profound loss, an unexpected obstacle or cost.   Like that bright red leaf, we fear we might be lost under the weight forever. 

But the beauty of God’s promise to us is that we will always be carried on a current that floats us back to the top. God controls the stream and its flow. God wants us to dance, to spin, to thrive, carried by his love. 

Isaiah 43:1-3, 4

But now thus says the Lord,
   he who created you, O Jacob,
   he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
   and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
   and the flame shall not consume you.

 Because you are precious in my sight,
   and honored, and I love you…