The Never Ending Peace and Sufficiency in God

I prowled the banks and quiet coves of the Catawba River. My kayak was being tossed about by waves whipped up by the wind. I almost didn’t go kayaking at all, despite the warmth of the day, because it was so windy. Pop-up storms were predicted. The dark clouds that hovered on the horizon taunted me: you would be foolish to go out on the water today. You are nothing against the fury of the storm.

Maybe I would just go a little ways and circle near the dock. That way if the imminent storm did come, I would be close to safety.

However, as almost always happens, as soon as I launched, the next curve in the river beckoned me as I traveled a new section I had never seen before. The wind was at my back and I knew I would have a rough fight making it back to dock against that powerful wind, but I just had to see what might be a hidden blessing around the corner...

Because not a single other boat was on the water, there were all kinds of unsuspecting wildlife that I surprised as I glided by. Turtles, one sea monster that actually made my boat rock as it dived beneath me (might have been a giant carp or it might have been the Loch Ness monster), and dozens of great blue herons. I had my camera ready as I stalked the herons, and took several photos. The one at the top of the page was the winner for the day: the heron just as he took flight.

But there were many other beautiful scenes, and as the wind carried me further from the dock, I thought less about safety, or storms, and more about the wonder and awe that God set before me.

I glanced at my watch. I had gone about an hour upriver with the strong wind at my back. It could take me two hours to get back! I was pretty sure I did not have enough strength in my arms to paddle another two hours. Reluctantly, I turned my kayak back homeward.

And then...this.

The wind shifted and was now carrying me swiftly back to the dock.

This NEVER happens. I was skimming along so fast that at times waves would curl under me like under a surfboard. The storm never materialized. Soon I was safely home with a heart filled with peace and a photo album filled with beautiful memories.

God is so good. As always, His lessons were exactly what I needed to absorb that day.

* God is ever-present and sufficient and if you seek Him, you will find Him

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

* Trust God. He is good and His creation is a place of infinite beauty laid out as a feast before you.

Psalm 8:3-9 [3] When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, [4] what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? [5] You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. [6] You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: [7] all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, [8] the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. [9] Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

* Don’t let the possible storm keep you from doing what brings you near to God

Isaiah 25:4 For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,

* When you travel on the winds of faith, don’t worry about making it safely home. 

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

* God will bring you where you need to be with the strength you need to arrive...and if your strength is gone, He will carry you.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

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John 14:27 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.