At the Water’s Edge
By Melissa Schrock
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
Soft, silky sand moves like water around my feet. The sound of waves crashing meets my ears. The warm summer breeze gently dances through my hair. At the water’s edge the sights, sounds, smells, and touches seem enhanced. Something about the beach awakens my senses, slows time. I take it all in.
As I look to my right, on the surface of the sand a small bug crawls, quickly moving his four little legs up and down over the sand. Compared to the size of his body, the sand grooves and mounds look like valleys and mountains. Up and back down he moves. On the top then in the depths.
With my feet buried in the cool, exfoliating sand, my thoughts wander to my life journey. Up and down. Over the low grooves and towering mounds, just like that little bug I have crawled, frantically trying to move forward and onward. Like miles of sandy beach the journey of life feels. Endless valleys and mountains. Yet where is it all leading?
There was a time in life when my movement through the valleys and mountains seemed useless, aimless, going nowhere. Now that I am a new creation, living the abundant life with and for Jesus, the valleys and mountains hold more meaning. I am not wandering aimlessly. I am not frantically crawling in search of the next high. My walk is with purpose and eternal value. My path still feels long at times, but it has joy and meaning. The valleys and mountains are building character and endurance in me. I am running this race with a finish line in view, an eternal goal. My mountains and valleys are now leading toward the inheritance my Father prepared for me long ago. His inheritance is for you, too.
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:11 (NKJV)
FAITH STEP: Spend some time thinking about your life journey today. Sit with pen and paper to map out your mountains and valleys. Thank the Father for the joy in your journey and ask Him to lead when you feel you are going nowhere.
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:16-17 (ESV)
As I look to my right, on the surface of the sand a small bug crawls, quickly moving his four little legs up and down over the sand. Compared to the size of his body, the sand grooves and mounds look like valleys and mountains. Up and back down he moves. On the top then in the depths.
With my feet buried in the cool, exfoliating sand, my thoughts wander to my life journey. Up and down. Over the low grooves and towering mounds, just like that little bug I have crawled, frantically trying to move forward and onward. Like miles of sandy beach the journey of life feels. Endless valleys and mountains. Yet where is it all leading?
There was a time in life when my movement through the valleys and mountains seemed useless, aimless, going nowhere. Now that I am a new creation, living the abundant life with and for Jesus, the valleys and mountains hold more meaning. I am not wandering aimlessly. I am not frantically crawling in search of the next high. My walk is with purpose and eternal value. My path still feels long at times, but it has joy and meaning. The valleys and mountains are building character and endurance in me. I am running this race with a finish line in view, an eternal goal. My mountains and valleys are now leading toward the inheritance my Father prepared for me long ago. His inheritance is for you, too.
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:11 (NKJV)
FAITH STEP: Spend some time thinking about your life journey today. Sit with pen and paper to map out your mountains and valleys. Thank the Father for the joy in your journey and ask Him to lead when you feel you are going nowhere.
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:16-17 (ESV)
Melissa Schrock
Melissa Schrock is a wife, mom of 4, and the author of the book Released: from dark pit to life with abundant hope. Melissa enjoys using everyday life situations in her writing to remind us of God's truths.
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