We have just returned from a phenomenal cruise visiting Christmas markets along the Rhine River in Germany. The journey home was a 24-hr. ordeal and today’s dark and stormy forecast is perfect for recovery naps and revisiting memories. After scrolling through our vacation photos, the rain on our metal roof lulled me to sleep. I expected my dreams to be filed with visions of Christmas markets, castles, mulled wine and bratwurst…but instead a single image ran through my mind. It seemed important at the time…I suppose now I know why. This would be His reminder to me of His love in the advent season.
Our river cruise was impacted by record-breaking high-water levels on the Rhine. Due to a massive accumulation of snow the previous week and subsequent melt, the normally serene Rhine had become a raging river in some areas. We could see the power of the swift current as it passed bridges, barges and boats. At one point we saw an anchored buoy, used to mark a channel, straining against the almost violent flow. Water rushed around it as it leaned but remained unmoved, tethered to a permanently set anchoring stone.
Today, as I sit to write this post, this image feels powerful. A wonderful image of faith. My faith serves as a buoy and an anchor in my life. My faith has held me up through raging waters. My faith has kept me from becoming overwhelmed, has kept me afloat and helped me find my way. My faith is a confident anchor, I will not be moved. I am tethered to my God; He will not let me be whisked away by the ever-changing and challenging world. He is my anchor and my buoy.
I have this faith because even while there is so much in life I do not know, there is one thing of which I am certain, one thing I know to be true, unchanging, unshakable and constant…God loves me. (and you)
I know this because His Word tells me so….”For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
I also know this because I have experienced His love. He has used countless people in my life to love, comfort, encourage and correct me. These people often showed up at the perfect time, in the perfect way, no doubt a part of God’s plan for me.
I have known His love through endless mercy and grace. I have frequently stumbled and fallen personally, in private and in public, and each time God has redeemed me. I have known forgiveness of which I am unworthy. I have suffered consequences for my choices, but I know the blessing of instruction/correction and not destruction from a God of love.
I have felt His provision for me monetarily, circumstantially and emotionally when I looked to Him in the midst of my storms. When I sought Him, He was there. When I wandered, He was there. When I was strong and growing, He was there. When I was weak and broken, He was there. His LOVE is an anchoring and buoy sort of love. It is a LOVE that marks the way and keeps us afloat. It is LOVE that holds firm.
In knowing this great love, let us remember to be quick to share the love with all whom God places in our lives.
Let this be our prayer:
…that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith; and that we, being rooted and grounded in love, my be able to comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth, and to KNOW the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled up with the fulness of God and overflow His love to others. Based on Ephesians 3:17-19
Tuesday With Teri 