He had never seen a river before, this Mole in “The Wind in the Willows.”
“He thought his happiness was complete when, as he meandered aimlessly along, suddenly he stood by the edge of a full-fed river. Never in his life had he seen a river before—this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling itself on fresh playmates that shook themselves free, and were caught and held again. All was a-shake and a-shiver—glints and gleams and sparkles, rustle and swirl, chatter and bubble. The Mole was bewitched, entranced, fascinated. …when tired at last, he sat on the bank, while the river still chattered on to him, a babbling procession of the best stories in the world, sent from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea.”
I wonder. When Kenneth Grahame penned this description of life-giving water, was he also thinking about the Giver of Living Water?
Is not our Father much like a river, desiring to flow through the sinuous path of our lives with us, around all the curves and turns. There isn’t a hard bend, a waterfall, or series of rapids where He isn’t willing to cascade His love over us.
His goodness and unfailing love do not just follow us all the days of our lives, but more accurately chase after and pursue us.
His assurance grips us in our weakness and reminds us with a laugh that it is here—of all the unlikely, backwater places—in our weakness is where we find His strength.
Amazing Grace flings itself on us, catching and holding us again and again when we trip and stumble.
Peace like a river washes over us, soothing our anxious thoughts, and making our hearts gleam and sparkle with renewed faith.
His patience swirls around us, asking us to trust, really trust that His plans, His revelation, His promised return will not be overdue a single day.
His Spirit chatters to us the best stories in the world. Stories from the heart of the Father about His insatiable ocean of love. A procession telling us over and over how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
But sometimes I cannot hear the stories, the assurances, or the peace because I’ve let the roar of my fears and day-to-day splashes become too loud in my ears. It is then, it is now, it is always, that I need Him to show me The Way to the quieter waters.
He who has compassion on them will guide them
and lead them beside springs of water. Isaiah 49:10
Lord, in your mercy lead me
beside springs of water,
beside quiet waters.
Restore my soul.
Restore my soul
such that I can hear
your refreshing melody on the water’s lips,
the deep calling to the deep.
Let your heart listen,
let my heart listen,
really listen to the babbling brook.
Can you hear it now?
He is whispering to us…
Do not be afraid, my child.
Do not be afraid.
Take heart, I am with you.
I AM is with you.
Come to me, fearful one.
Bring me all your fears.
And I will show you, reveal to you
That I will never, ever leave you.
Wait patiently, anxious heart.
Be still.
Be still and know.
Know that I am with you.
I am coming.
I am on my way.
Even now, I am coming.
I am coming for you, my child.
My love for you will never run dry.
The water of life will always flow for the thirsty.
One day you will stand beside it,
beside the river of the water of life,
streaming clear as crystal,
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
On that day you will see my face.
Take heart.
I am coming for you, my precious child.
Even now, I am rushing, flowing, coming, washing over you.
Do not be afraid.
Do not be afraid.
Do not be afraid.
~ Lord, Come Quickly
More Musing
The pastor is quick to remind us, “God cannot lie.” Not ever. No white lies or small lies. His promises are certain. No promise is too old, too hard, too crazy that He will not keep it.
I’ve incorporated a few of my favorite promises above. I’d love to know which promise(s) you find yourself clinging to the most in the rushing river of your life.
