Two nights ago my beautiful wife asked if I wanted to watch a movie with her. I agreed, and we began the process of finding something to watch. I don’t know about you but this can sometimes be a time consuming process as you try and figure out what to choose! Fortunately this time was pretty easy and we decided on a recently released movie on Netflix. In one of the more tender moments in this action packed film, one of the main characters is being questioned by another about his life. After being transparent and sharing a difficult memory the one asking the questions responds by saying, “You drown, not by falling into the river, but by staying submerged in it”, quoting a line from a book he had read.
I thought this was quite a profound statement probably because I have been struggling a bit lately. I think a lot of what I am going through at the moment is due to our current life of lockdown and I am still adjusting to this new way of life. There have been days when I have just felt down and not motivated to do much and actually just wanted to climb back into bed. This feeling is almost as if I have fallen into a river and am sinking. There’s nothing wrong with how I am feeling as it is a natural response to our situation but I must be careful not to wallow in this feeling (which I have been guilty of doing in the past).
While thinking about this scene and my current feelings I was reminded of these life giving words from Isaiah 43:1-3
1 Now this is what the Lord says—
the one who created you, Jacob,
and the one who formed you, Israel—
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you,
and the rivers will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched,
and the flame will not burn you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior.
Now while these words were written for Israel I find a lot of comfort in them because these are words from the same God who looks after us in difficult times. I can stand firm in these truths even though I am struggling at the moment because God has not and will never let me down. I have no reason to fear as I been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, I am one of the children of God who has been called by name, and I belong to the Holy and set apart God in whom I find my salvation! Reading these verses has helped make me feel a bit better and I will definitely keep coming back to them in the weeks to come.
Much love,
Luke
Thank you Luke.
You probably speak for many Luke and l am sure those folk will be encouraged.
Hi Luke
What a beautiful piece about the river. I think many of us feel like that at the moment. Fortunately messages like these gives us perspective and keep us above water. Yes the Lord is with us all our days. The good and the difficult times. Soon this difficult period will pass. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Lots of love. Magda