There is nothing more soothing and calming to my soul than
to sit by the ocean, watching the tides roll in and back out again. Each wave is unique. Some waves crest quickly, and come in with a
soft whisper. Others build slowly,
pounding with a sudden climax, reaching far up into the shore. The ebb and flow of the waters never
stops. These have exited since creation,
and will continue until God chooses to end this world.
Yesterday, we visited a local congregation to hear a
preacher friend speak there. It was a
great lesson, and one specific thing touched my heart. He noted that all of us have a “hole” in our
heart. This hole may have come from a
past hurt or loss. It may have come from
guilt. It may simply be emptiness. From where?
We do not really know. These
“holes” often become such voids that our lives become very challenging. Our friend mentioned that these holes could
only be filled by a relationship with Jesus.
What a remarkable thought. Only
the Savior can provide the fulfillment to such voids in our lives.
This year has been a particularly sorrowful season. From the loss of a precious young woman, that
I loved as my own child; to the death of a good friend and colleague through a
senseless disease; to the suicide of a young man, who saw death as the only way
to escape the pain of this life; to wonderful parents and friends simply
struggling to face the hurts from it all.
Simply trying to make sense of the sorrow. Simply trying to find some peace. Simply trying to go on.
Waves of sorrow crashing down on us can paralyze. Hurt can overwhelm. Pain can physically sicken. Grief can cause anger, doubt and fear. Those waves of sorrow are much like the ocean
waves. Each one, unique in a sense. Each one, with its own set of
circumstances. Each one, breaking our
hearts.
Yet, when we have a relationship with the Lord, those waves
do not drown us. They truly may pour
over our spirits, but they do not flood out our faith. Those waves crash upon us, and they beat us,
and they hurl us on jagged rocks of questions that may never have answers. Those waves of sorrow have existed for most
of time. From Eve realizing that her
oldest son had murdered his brother; to Job’s imploring cries for mercy in his
infirmities; to Mary watching her beloved Son pierced with nail and hung on a
cross. And . . . they will continue
until God chooses to send our Jesus back to earth.
But, to a Christian, those waves don’t define our lives. Jesus is there to help, to rescue, and to fill those "holes" created by life's sorrows. Those waves don't defeat us
because we live – or should live – on the shores of peace. Peace, in believing that we don’t truly see
the “big picture.” Peace, in
understanding that this life – and all of its sorrow – is temporary. Peace, in the hope for tomorrow – and for
eternity. Peace, in knowing that God is in control.
