Near where I live is a lovely river that runs through town. In the spring the waters run fast and present quite a spectacle. There is a foot bridge that suspends you just a few feet above a narrow waterfall. Unable to hear anything but the sound of the water, I inch out onto the swinging, narrow walkway to become immersed in the sounds, sights, smells and spray of the water. It is as close to the violence nature can create as I ever want to be.
Nearby is another bridge. I have driven over that bridge maybe once a week for the last 20 years. It is a major road through the town. There are high walls that make it difficult to even see the river. Most of the time I drive over that bridge focused on something else - usually which lane I need to find on the other side and don't even think about the fact that I was on a bridge and there is a torrent below me. Several years it was well into summer before I realized that I had missed the whole see-the-beautiful-waterfall spectacle of the spring.
Our faith - the knowledge that God loves us, knows what we need and will care for us - is sometimes like that first bridge. We are intimately aware of the power of the troubled waters of our lives and how God is providing a way over them. We may get a little wet, but will emerge unscathed despite the power of the situation. Fortunately, though, most of our "bridge" experiences become more like the second variety - we sail over them oblivious to the torrent below us - focused on where God is leading us. We learn to trust Him no matter the amount of water in the river. Our faith is being sure of what we hope for - what God has promised - and He will provide.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
when I was young and even in later years, always after church and breakfast on Sundays, mom & dad would insist on our Sunday drives. They were always the same, either on upriver drive or downriver drive in Spokane. A bridge was always driven over, sometimes we would stop and pick the first buttercups or pussy willows of the season, but the drives were always the same.
In looking back now after I read your post, I can see even more the faith the folks had in God. They new way back then under those bridges was a swift river current. Today I can see they knew then God was their bridge in life. The folks were two people of such strong faith in God. They suffered many various and difficult currents in their lives as individuals and as a couple, but the bridge of their life held them together for nearly 40 years. They were childhood sweethearts, their faith in God kept them going no matter what, they never gave up until God decided it was time for them to go "home." just 18 months apart.
As I grew older I dreaded those drives, I had things I wanted to do, friends to hang out with, but now days when the troubled waters enter my life, I will often find myself driving those old roads along the river, over the bridge and sometimes just stop and spend time with God, looking and listening to the sounds and beauty of His creation and when I leave, those trouble waters have calmed once I shared them with God and reminded myself who my faith is in-who is in control.
I guess mom and dad were teaching us kids way back then about faith, creation, being together as a family, etc. Their faith has always been a reminder in my life of what they went through and kept going. Mom never went without signing a letter stating "keep the faith and keep smiling."
No more bridges to they drive over now for they are with God and probably still having a Sunday drive now and again. I hope God is doing the driving and not dad :)
I let my folks go after many years and I am glad that time came for I know they are really ok and I am at peace with them gone. I have chosen life, with it's ups and downs and my God as my Savior and Lord, He is the bridge in my life. I am safely tucked in His arms, being loved unconditionally, accepted despite my brokenness and ready to go when He calls my name.
Faith allows me to accept each change, a new start, greater strength and forgivess when I error. Faith allows me to forgive others, especially when I have been hurt. I don't want to be perfect for I would not have room for growth-faith can grow and Lord please help me to grow in my faith knowing I have you as my bridge in life. We can do it together Lord, help me to remember that, guide me and I shall do me very best to follow. Please take care of everyone in the world and let those of us who have faith in you help those who don't-so they too will know you can be the bridge of their lives as well---if only they would ask.
Post a Comment