Our weekend sailing trip started with blue skies, white fluffy clouds, and a whole lot of sunshine. Nothing signaled that a storm was just around the bend.
Until it hit.
I thought the low-hanging black clouds would reach down and wrap us in darkness. The wind tipped our sailboat onto its side. The icy rain came at us sideways; it felt like shards of glass on our faces. Once we got the sails down, the captain yelled, “Just hang on!” You can bet we did.
I’ve never been in a storm on the water like that since. (Actually, I’ve never been back on the water in a sailboat since!) But I’ve had my share of life storms. You too?
Our parents’ memories shrink in size, and their aches and pains increase. Work projects are challenging. People you love are still hurting. Disease shows no mercy. And we feel like we’re drowning.
Maybe you’ve been looking for that bridge over troubled waters. Or your boat has capsized and you’re just struggling to keep your head above water. Your arms are weary and you can feel the current pulling down on your aching legs.
Reading the first few verses in the 46th Psalm this morning described those storms. And reminded me of hope.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountain fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountain quake with their surging.”
Can’t you just see it? Waters roaring and foaming. Ships tipping and waves whipping. And we’re just hanging on. So let’s go back to the first verse…”God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
So.
Are you tired of gulping lake water as you struggle to keep from sinking?
Invite God into your waves. He will always show up.
