O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great.
– Psalm 104: 24-25
It was the perfect beach day!! The sun was hot and the cool breeze (Holy Spirit) was moving gently over the waters inviting folks to come in. As the sun rays hit the water, sparkles appeared. Many folks were in the water: swimming, playing, riding the waves, laughing, and more.
In an instant the mood of the swimmers changed. Folks stopped laughing and instead started squealing. “Oh, what is that in the water?” “It looks bad!” “It is moving right towards us!” “Red seaweed is moving in on us.” Moving towards us was a large (about 150 yards or about half a football field), frightful looking, dark circle of something. Some swimmers retreated from the water. I stood still; my eyes watching the circle slowly move towards us. What a surprise! It wasn’t seaweed on anything bad. It was a school of fish! It was the biggest I have ever seen move through the water. Nothing to be afraid of as we were swimming in their home.
Often our imagination runs wild when something new comes into our lives. We immediately go to all the bad that might happen, instead of registering the reality of the situation. When faced with a change in your situation: Stop, take a breath, say a prayer, and examine the truth of what is going on. Sometimes we do need to make adjustments or quick decisions to get away, but sometimes what looks terrifying at first glance might really be a gift.
In Christ’s Love and Light,
Pastor Pat