This week I went to a state park well known for its rocky cliffs and waterfalls. I hadn’t been to this particular park in about twenty years and wanted to see how it had changed. Well, I don’t think the park has changed much, but I sure have.
Twenty years ago, I was young, still in college with no one depending on me. My day was spent hanging out with friends, laughing, talking and I confess, breaking the rules, and playing in the river. I paid little attention to the beauty around me. It was nothing more than a new setting for the day’s enjoyment.
Now I am a wife and mother of three teens. I have traveled, lived, and seen a lot of life. This week I walked through the park, alone among the crowds, temporarily free of distractions. Finally, I could see.
“Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy, let them sing before the Lord” Ps. 98: 8-9a
One image in particular grabbed my attention. A single daisy clung to a sheer wall while the rain-gorged river rocketed over a cliff to the rocks below. I may have overlooked it twenty years ago, but now it reminded me of how God’s peace can shelter us from the raging torrent of life.
In the language of flowers, the Daisy stands for innocence. In this day and age, innocence, kindness, and gentleness are rarely found. This age of social media and ‘progressive thinking’ has stolen our innocence. We are surrounded on every side by hate, greed, lust, and false images of beauty. It is a flood that will sweep you away and drown you.
Yet God promised to shelter us and protect us from the corruption of the world.
“Surely, when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Ps32: 6b-7
We have a choice to make. We can follow along like social sheep chasing after the loudest voice or the most enticing ways, or we can cling to the Rock that is higher and stronger than we are. God is an island of peace in a troubled world. We are called to be in the world but not of the world. If we cling tight to Jesus, he will keep a hedge about us that keeps us safe from the storm.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Jn 14: 27
Hold tight to His hands, and shelter in His peace.
Comments 5
Wonderful post. I like the images you present. I feel sometimes that there is too much noise in the world and you have to remove yourself from it in order to thrive. Survival as a Christian depends on our reliance on God. Seems we forget that all too often.
That is so true. I know in the last few weeks, even months, I have felt like the flood waters were coming to sweep me away. That is one reason I went to the park alone. He met me there and gave me a daisy so I could remember his promise.
Thank you, Kate, for this beautiful reminder of God’s rest that is ALWAYS available…yet a rest I so seldom enter. Those convicting words in Hebrews 4 come back to chide me, “Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest…”
I’m sitting in the Orlando Airport after am incredibly busy and productive seven days. I’m on my way to 2 weeks of family visits, where I hope to REST from work…a real sabbath. Lord, let it be so.
I’m sitting in the Orlando
I will be heading to my parents new place in FL for a week. I am hoping to get filled and rested while listening to the waves on the sand. It is so hard to really relax when there is always someone who needs something from me and when housework is constantly crying for my attention.
I pray you get lots of fabulous “you and Jesus” time on the beach!