The Shipwrecks of Life!
by Pamela Stephens
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." My soul thirsts for God, the living God..living not one who's dead and cannot act! Put your hope in God~ for I will yet praise Him, My Savior and my God...my soul is downcast within me, therefore I will remember You.
Deep calls to deep in the roar of the waterfalls; all Your waves and breakers have swept over me~~ by day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me~ a prayer to the God of my life! Lord, Your waves have swept over me.... until I feel capsized ~ bailing as fast as I can before the next one hits. Far from the shore and safe harbor, drifting away from where I want to be, bailing, sinking. But I cry out to you Lord, whom else do I have to save me? Throw me a life preserver, help me to drop anchor, light up the beacon on shore so I can know which direction to head~ and if it pleases you, calm the waters. Let me hear "Peace be still!" Send forth your light and your truth and let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where You dwell." When I feel shipwrecked, let me see your light..the beacon of Hope I search for across these many waves~ How, O, Lord did I get off course? It was perhaps a "rogue" wave, unseen, bearing down and throwing me in the wrong direction! You say: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea."
But sometimes it is others who have shipwrecked us, not us ourselves. And then it is out of our control, we are broadsided by the waves of torment from their choices! Help me to listen to your direction and in hearing them, to obey. Again you say, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. FOR, I AM the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Though difficulties, situations and circumstances may assail me my God will be there to walk me through them. They won't destroy me to the point I cannot go on. As soon as I can look UP and get my focus on Jesus, then I will be okay and make it through to safe harbor-trusting that my Anchor will hold!
Oh Lord, thank you that you are the Captain of my ship and that nothing blindsides you! You hold us and the answer in your right hand! Help me to fully trust that you are working even when I don't see the results in my timing...my times are in your hands, Lord! You are my PEACE! Amen.
