There is a stream that runs behind this house in Colorado. Because of the late spring snows, all of the rivers in the area are running very high and fast - even the little stream behind the house. It does not often have "white water" in it. But this summer is different. It is swirling. tumbling, rushing headlong down the mountain.
And today there was this loon. At least, I think it was a loon. After checking my "Birds of the Rocky Mountains" book, that is my best determination. The common loon - Gavia immer - "a serene symbol of wilderness".
I marveled at his ability to navigate the fast water. It was rough with great potential to take him under. He was perched on top of the water and the water was carrying him downstream. When he came to a section that was particularly rough, he stretched his neck up, beak to the sky, and rode the rough water until he had safely passed through it.
Our lives have so many rough places - places that have the potential to take us under. Are you in just such a place right now? How are we to navigate through tumultuous times? Even Jesus acknowledged the surety of struggles when He was talking about our tendency to worry over what might happen. He said in Matthew 6:34 that "each day has enough trouble of its own." We can all give testimony to the reality of that statement! So how do we navigate?
I think we perhaps need to take a lesson from the loon. Keep your head and eyes up ...
Hebrews 12: 1 - 3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before hi endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
2 Corinthians 4: 17 - 18 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
The loon knew by instinct how to navigate through the rough water. Head up - beak to the sky - and ride through it. We, too, can know how to navigate the rough places in our lives - not by instinct but by instruction. Heads up - eyes fixed on our Lord - and ride through the hard place.
I love the chorus that says,
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
So - heads up, my friends - eyes fixed on Jesus - and the rough waters you must navigate will grow strangely dim in the light His glory and grace.
The verses that came to my mind as you described your "whitewater loon" were from Isaiah 43:
ReplyDelete1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
I recently watched a mother duck introduce her babies to the water. Some took to swimming more easily than others; these ducklings watched their mother so closely they seemed barely to notice they had left the banks and entered the lake. A few needed an extra nudge. (There's a lesson there somewhere, no?)
I wonder who your loon first saw navigating those rapids? Did his mother tell him "watch me, stay close behind, and do what I do?"
Gail,
ReplyDeleteTalking about the water reminded me of Peter trying to walk on the water to Jesus, Matthew 14:22-34. Peter wanted to walk on the water until he lost sight of Jesus and saw the waves.
I think you loon kept his eyes on the water. (I wanted to cut and patse the scriptures but have lost that capability.)
Beth
Gail,
ReplyDeleteOops!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think the loon kept his/her head above the water, keeping its eyes on the goal, not drowning.
Beth