The Sea of Hope

Piercing…how else could the jolts be described? The lights suddenly flipped, speech was silenced, understanding fled, and he was left adrift, a spirit afloat in a broken vessel at the mercy of forces beyond human control. Was this the crowning assault on his life? Was he near the end of his run only to be thrashed and flattened, crushed by a mighty hand of destruction laughing gleefully at his…demise? Such a rude end to one’s story. Where the valiant victor? Could he, would he arise?

Like an undulating current the man’s whole life had ebbed and flowed with rejoicing and sadness, gain and loss, triumph and failure, challenge and overcoming…it went on and on as he navigated a tumultuous sea. Were the truths of Ecclesiastes being revealed…was all vanity and a striving after the wind? Undulation unceasing, the peaks usually cascaded to the valleys…this time a sheer cliff dropped him without warning. He lay there at the bottom, his eyes clouded.

Fluttering. Faint wisps across his face. Was he rocking in his boat? Cocooned. He felt warmth in the total silence. If only his eyes could see. Then words…whispering in his memory…”I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

“Hey, man. How ya doing?” a rough voice filled the silence. Justin’s eyes startled open to see the craggy face of his long-time neighbor peering down at him. John Joseph was rough as a cob on the outside, smoother than creamed corn on the inside. He and Justin spent many days fly fishing or trolling mountain lakes. A lifetime of friendship especially dear since both losing their wives. If anyone should greet Justin at this strange awakening it would be John Joseph. Pals in life, brothers in the LORD, both seeking to follow Jesus and tune their lives to Him.

“Auyaaa,” Justin muttered, confusion flickering across his ashen face. “Uhhhhhhhya.” Try as he might the words in his head would not form in his mouth.

“Lie still,” John Joseph said, grasping Justin’s shoulder then whipping out his cell phone. “I’ll stay right here with you while we wait for help.”

After Justin was loaded into the county ambulance, John Joseph climbed inside. “We’re family, bro,” he said to Justin, while settling himself out of the paramedic’s way. “I called Pastor. He’ll meet us at the hospital. He and the others are praying for you. We’re with you all the way.”

Justin’s eyes drifted close though the siren wailed. Strange to find himself so utterly dependent. Without the strength to solve this dilemma, even so he was cast into a place of choice…fear or trust. He was too weak to be afraid, a calm assurance infusing his spirit….“cast your burdens on Me and I will give you rest.” All his strength was needed to breathe. Trust. What else could he do? He could not see his immediate horizon, yet knew from years of days and nights, tomorrow the sun would come up. He was warm, secured, cocooned…rocking somewhere in a sea of hope. No matter the future, he knew the Master of his story…all was well. He would rise again.

~~~

Thank You, LORD, that beyond our abilities and vision, You are still there, the wellspring and giver of hope. All life proceeds from You. Thank You for Your gifts of salvation, mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Help us to humbly accept such amazing gifts through Your great Love and sacrifice. Thank You that You are our sea of hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 NKJV “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”