Sometimes mighty waters are too rough for us to recognize the wonder of them. The destruction they bring upon us seems too devastating a mess to be attributed to anything but a serious mistake.
Yet, even with all of our complaining neither the winds nor the direction of the vicious current turn away from us. Mercy doesn’t come to us in the way that we would expect.But, maybe calm does not come to us because we are at odds with the Master of the Malaise.
Perhaps understanding and peace would come if we would turn to God and let Him teach us to reverence Him when it would really change who we are — storm or no storm. After all, wild water is many times the only thing that can touch, change or move substances that refuse to budge under the power of anything less than this wet and widowing wonder.
But, this is no reason for us to be intimidated or disheartened, for the heart of Him who winds the seas about us knows what He is working at when He tests us; knows the parts of our soul that need a calm that can only be discovered after the storm about us has expelled the tremors from our within us. Arduous tests pave our pathway to the heart of God with reformed interest and understanding.
Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be— you get a fresh start,
your slate’s wiped clean.Count yourself lucky—
God holds nothing against you
and you’re holding nothing back from him.When I kept it all inside,
my bones turned to powder,
my words became daylong groans.The pressure never let up;
all the juices of my life dried up.Then I let it all out;
I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God.”
Suddenly the pressure was gone—
my guilt dissolved,
my sin disappeared.These things add up. Every one of us needs to pray;
when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts
we’ll be on high ground, untouched.God’s my island hideaway,
keeps danger far from the shore,
throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.Let me give you some good advice;
I’m looking you in the eye
and giving it to you straight:“Don’t be ornery like a horse or mule
that needs bit and bridle
to stay on track.”God-defiers are always in trouble;
God-affirmers find themselves loved
every time they turn around.Celebrate God.
Sing together—everyone!
All you honest hearts, raise the roof!Psalm 32
At Home with God 