It's July and we're finally getting something like summer weather up here. The new picture on this page gives a hint of the glorious sunsets we expect to see across our beach in the coming weeks. I guess it's a good time to share one of my analogies. An analogy, according to my Merriam-Webster pocket dictionary, is "a likeness in one or more ways between things otherwise unlike." This analogy compares a lifeguard chair and the vine of John 15.
I'd been going through a stretching time and felt as if I could barely keep my head above water. I'm not sure if the process came in gradual stages or was an abrupt awakening, but one day I found myself resting and peaceful. The Holy Spirit had lifted my eyes above the waves and I was able to focus on the amazing grace and awesome promises of God. I felt a bit like Peter in Matthew 14 as he stepped out of the boat to meet His Lord that stormy night.
I knew that the waves of discord and distraction were still there, but I was able to look beyond them to the steady horizon that spoke of the faithfulness of my Father. His peace and power carried me above the confusion and agony. It wasn't as if the problems and struggles didn't exist. It was just that they didn't matter, had no sway over me, as I pondered the character of God and rested in His presence. I didn't want to ever sink below those waves again.
I figured that I'd be able to avoid following the rest of Peter's example where fear caused him to start to sink among the waves. I decided that I simply wouldn't let the wind scare me. My strategy to keep my heavenward focus was to climb up into a virtual lifeguard chair. That was the feeling I had and I thought it was pretty clever. After all, I'd be able to sit back and relax in a place that would automatically elevate my eyes above the waves. I could come right up out of the hot sand that wants to burn my feet, away from the difficulties of every day life. Now that would be grand!
I held onto that image for a while. I would concentrate on looking up to God whenever I caught sight of the waves or felt my feet beginning to feel warm. When I sensed the beginning of that internal pressure that leads to panic I would remind myself of how secure and peaceful I felt sitting in my lifeguard chair. The Holy Spirit took me back to the basic truths of the faith: God is love, 1 John 4:16; He chose me to be His own, Ephesians 1:11; He is all-powerful, Job 26:22; the struggle is spiritual not physical, Ephesians 6:12; and others. I would climb back up and rest in the lifeguard chair. Oh, it felt so good.
Then more time passed and life moved forward. As is wont to happen, the various forces of the fallen world, my weaknesses, the annoyer, and his minions played havoc all around me. The wind blew to ignite the embers of fear and I forgot my secure perch. After another round of treading water and gasping for breath, God reached out with His love-filled hand to tip my chin toward His face. He drew me to Himself by the power of His Holy Spirit and spoke softly.
Yes, Sandra, the lifeguard chair is one of my gifts to you. You need to be there not only for yourself but to minister my life-saving truths to others in deep water. Philippians 1:23,24 The problem is that you can't get there simply by calling up an image or conjuring up a feeling - not even with remembered Scripture. You need to seek me with your whole heart. You need to yield everything to me; every wish, every plan, every imagination, every affection . . . every thing. When you do I will be found by you, and I will bring you back from captivity. Jeremiah 29:13
I am still imperfect and I still live in a fallen world where God's and my enemy prowls as a roaring lion. I don't expect the waves or the wind to become smooth or painless. I don't expect to understand nor enjoy every detail of the refining process as it unfolds. What I do expect is for my Omnipotent Sovereign to expand this heavenly glimpse into my life according to His perfect providence. I expect my Loving Father to keep His promise from Romans 8:30 to prepare me fully for eternity with Him. I foresee relaxing more often in His lifeguard chair as I remain more fully in the True Vine.
May God grant each of you the glimpse you need to have in your own walk with Him.
