21 Hear this, you foolish and senseless people,
who have eyes but do not see,
who have ears but do not hear:
22 Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord.
“Should you not tremble in my presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea,
an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;
they may roar, but they cannot
(Jeremiah 5:21-22, NIV)
The ocean, moody, restless, nurturing, and deadly surrounds the refuge where humans cling. A source of food, a playground and a shield from enemies roils at the borders of continents. Tsunamis can destroy life and civilization in an instant.
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours, and You are mine
Metaphorically, the seas can mirror our lives, illustrating the turmoil of storms and the soothing regularity of the tides. They ebb and flow constantly in the background, and, unless something frightening occurs, we take them for granted.
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown, where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep, my faith will stand
Few have the courage to venture where feet may fail. We live in a world constantly in flux, without the repetitive movement of the tides. Currents, riptides, and predators lurk in the deeps, and those who venture out too far may never return.
Looking above the waves, creating meaning in the chaos of the churning sea takes faith and trust. Serenity prevails above the surf and awaits those who can separate the calm from the storm. While horrors abound in the world, above the waves hovers the greatest gift of life: Peace.
With Thanks to Kathy and Joanna for leading me
to this beautiful song by Salomon Lighthelm
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw&feature=player_profilepage
Contributed by Carol
Monday July 28, 2014
Liturgical Year A: Week 35
Liturgical Color: Green
Sunday Gospel reading: Proper 12
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost