Almost exactly one year ago, I took this same picture with Janie and Richard in front of the falls. It was just two weeks before her accident, and we often looked at that picture of the two of them while sitting in that ICU room as Janie lay unconscious. Back then, God taught us quite a lesson from that picture: heed the still, small voice of the Spirit. How I pray I will never forget it--when God whispers to you, listen and obey.
Here's what happened that day a year ago. Janie and Richard wanted to hike up to the waterfall, but my husband, Richard, and I were beat and ready to hike back down to the cabin. It was early evening, and we were all muddy, hungry, and had a lot of packing to do in order to leave early the next morning. Thus, making the arduous trek up to the waterfall didn't make a lick of sense to two exhausted parents.
We had started back down with two disappointed teenagers in tow, when that gentle prompting of the Spirit told me--"Don't miss it! Don't miss this never-to-be-repeated moment! Go back up there and witness My glory with these children who are growing up all too quickly." Sadly, how often do I ignore the Holy Spirit's prompting in favor of following my own agenda and desires? But, praise the Lord, that day we didn't. We turned right around and suddenly exclaimed--to the astonished delight of our children--"Okay, let's do it!" Everyone wheeled around and trekked back up towards the falls, pulling ourselves up by tree roots and branches, climbing over slippery rocks, and finally arriving at, well, God's glory revealed in a magnificent waterfall.
So this time, I didn't need a bit of encouraging or prompting when Mary Norris suggested we hike up to see Upper Blue Seas Falls. The Lord knows we can all be mighty slow learners, but He's so patient with us and ever provides new opportunities to trust and obey Him. He never gives up on us. And so I had learned...and we hiked...and beheld, one year later, God's glory pouring forth over the waterfall.
Once again, this picture doesn't begin to do it justice. Something about the camera and the distance from the falls diminishes it's size, but trust me, it's tremendous. The water, which is especially high this year due to all the rain, poured, gushed over the falls with stunning force. Even from the back edge of the pool, we could feel the wind generated by the falling water, and the mist coming off the falls covered us with a cool spray. And the sound, O my, there's nothing like the glorious symphonic sound of rushing waters. Power and yet peace. Constant motion and yet continual rest.
We just stood and marveled and shed a tear or two at God's majesty, goodness, and grace. Who knows what a year will bring? And yet God is always and forever faithful. None of us need fear what is ahead...for no matter what is coming, our Lord will be there before us and beside us and within us.
"But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.'" (Isa.43:1-3)
That is our God and there is none other.
I love what Scotty Smith prayed about these verses: "Father, You don't promise we won't experience floods and torrents and fires and flames. But You do promise that You will be with us. To know that You are near and to know You are good is all we really need. We will go anywhere and do anything as long as we are convinced that You will never leave us, forsake us, abandon us, shame us, or reject us. Father, we know ourselves to be precious and honored in Your sight, and greatly loved, because You gave us Jesus in exchange for us. Though Jesus was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, so that through His poverty we might become rich (2 Cor.8:9). We praise You for the One and only truly indescribable gift (2 Cor.9:15)! And since You didn't spare Your own Son, we can trust You graciously to give us everything else we need (Rom.8:32), for every season and storm ahead. We don't have to be afraid of anything or anyone. You are with us and You are for us."
Yes, Lord, through the storms, through the fires, through the floods of life, we learn--sometimes slowly, sometimes painfully--that You will never leave us nor forsake us and that You are always always always enough. You are more than enough.
Keep us focused upon You and Your glory. Keep us listening to and obeying Your Holy Spirit rather than our own selfish agendas. We don't want to miss out on anything You have for us, Father...not one divine appointment to witness Your grace and Your glory...not one waterfall. Not ever.
To God be the glory.
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