Ponderings, Floodplains, & Rest...
A flood
plain is an area of land that is prone to flooding. People realize it
is prone to flooding because it has flooded in the past due to a river or
stream overflowing its banks. A flood plain usually is a flat area
with areas of higher elevation on both sides…
I am struck by this imagery. An area of land that is
prone to flooding, its landscape ever changing – washed away and consistently
made new. The pain and destruction are great. It would be easier to move to higher
ground where stability is a bit more certain. Yet, the elegance of change
always makes life more appreciable.
As Sara Groves sings in her title track, “some hearts
are built on the floodplain”…
In 2015, I have seen more sorrow than joy. There
have been more sharp edges than soft. My heart has quivered underneath emotions
of doubt, insecurity, anger, apathy, hurt, and desolation. It has truly been an
odd broken 12 months and, I must say, I am tickled pink to see this year in my
rearview mirror.
I think we are living in a time where pockets of joy
are precious and sacred, and stretches of sorrow are par for the course. There
are moments, as my sister would say, “I have Lord of the Rings zeal to do something noble and courageous!” Still,
apathy, my old friend, loves to visit – to protect me from the chaos within my
own consciousness.
My entire life has been tempered by my faith. At
times, it has been a ‘fake it until I make it’ journey. Despite my actions, my
soul amalgamates to Jesus.
I am speculative on what 2016 will bring. I don’t
have a clear bearing on the New Year. I have made some plans – things you could
call resolutions – in order to provide a map of possibility. The clearest words
I keep hearing over and over are, “rest in Me”. I hope I will fall apart this New
Year. He will wreck what I have built with my own hands and re-build His plan
for my life.
I am so thankful for renewal. How magnificent that
God would give us new mercies each morning? Isn’t it lovely to start a fresh
new moment, day, week? I love grand restarts where I see the sunset over the
horizon and believe the expanse of beauty is for me.
There will always be a touch of melancholy to my
song. It is in my fundamental design. My heart was built on the floodplain
after all. Yet, my heart doesn’t stop with melancholy. It fights through to see
hope, beauty, peace, joy, and possibility.
Let us not be afraid to feel deep and love reckless.
A little honesty in the midst of pain can heal a multitude of woes. I am
seeking real fellowship in 2016…with Him and humans.
I am asking that he take back the lost or stolen
ground in my life!! The whole purpose this year will be navigating back to the
bank of the river where I can sit in His arms and rest! In turn, I ask that He
would use me in some meager way!
…Oh
the river it rushes to madness
And
the water it spreads like sadness
And
there’s no high ground
And
there’s no high ground
Closer
to the danger and the rolling deep
Closer
to the run and the losing streak
And
what brings us to our knees
Closer
to the life and the ebb and flow
Closer
to the edge of I don’t know
Closer
to Lord please send a boat
Some
hearts are built here.
-
Floodplain, Sara Groves
“But those who wait for the Lord
[who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength
and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles
[mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not
faint or become tired.” – Hebrews 12: 1-3 AMP
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with
you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help
you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10 NLT
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