1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3
1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:1
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
Whirlpools
Not much intimidates me in the water. I know how to exit rip currents. I can stay afloat for long periods of time. Scuba diving in cold water can be done with the aid of wet/dry suits and good equipment. But, whirlpools are on an entirely different level. The thought of getting caught in one, well let’s just say it terrifies me.
Life can be like getting caught in a whirlpool.
(Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.(Psalm 124:4-5)
Treading water is not helpful AT ALL! This vortex sucks you down to an unknown depth and spins you senseless and robs you of equilibrium. I can sense some of my students/friends hyperventilating just thinking about this. The thing about a whirlpool is that you can be ejected at the bottom and surface only to find yourself sucked down again by the centrifugal force of the upper part of the vortices.
My friend Ellyn would call this “going around the mountain” again and again. The lesson needed to completely exit the danger area is never fully grasped because of panic and failure to breathe and relax and use the skills you know to rescue yourself.
This happened to me this past week. A recurrent issue reared its demonic head and sent me into the whirlpool of emotion and turmoil. Wringing my hands, interrupting sleep, and gripping me by the throat. The constant rinse and repeat cycle of the agitator in this washing machine was exhausting and left me thinking I would not survive. AGAIN!.
More as a diversion than real interest, I got out my current Bible study and read these words from Psalm 124:8, “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (emphasis mine) Immediately following my less than casual reading because I have read it a hundred times before, the “still, small voice” of God spoke and said, “I did it without any help.” In my distracted state of mind, I asked, “Did what?” My attention was drawn to “made heaven and earth.” I felt as if I had been hit upside the head with a two by four plank. Wake up! Use what you know! I swam out of the swirling, gripping, suffocating monster’s grip and surfaced away from the suction of the pit created by my own emotions.
The God who made heaven and earth out of NOTHING can certainly make a masterpiece out of my chaos. I know this. But I forget. I fail to do just what Psalm 123:2 reminds us to do……..keep my eyes on the MASTER’s hand, who made heaven and earth.
My beautiful sister raises and trains service dogs. She has become an expert in this life long endeavor, following and surpassing our Daddy in both success and expertise. She is a master at her craft and her father would be puffed up like a blowfish with pride! Every single puppy adores her and they are rarely disobedient to the lessons.
“Master” Sheila and her watchful pups
I, like each of these canines, need to keep my eyes on the Master, I adore. He will keep me calm, protect me, and direct me when it is time to move. The whirlpool will be just a ride at the water park and I can exit “laughing at fear, afraid of nothing…..” (Job 39:22) Whirlpools (life’s situation): made by God, with a specific purpose, really are mesmerizing and beautiful! Don’t look down! Turn your eyes up and the light is always in sight. There is a calm in the center of God’s will.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Father in Heaven,
As life swirls and attempts to pull me down into the depths of despair, help me to remember to look up and see the Son and recall the lessons of the past and use what I know: the powerful NAME of Jesus and the Word of God to survive until the storm has passed. Then, Lord, receive all the honor and glory for beauty created by the trial. In the mighty name of Jesus I lift this prayer.
Amen
Treading water til Jesus comes to rescue,
What a great example of turmoil and pain. Will use this periodically for myself and recommend to others. Satan lives to change our focus , but God is bigger!! Bless you , Von!