Kayaking among the mangroves

 In many coastal places in the Gulf of Mexico, there are barrier islands covered in mangroves. Between these islands and the mainland is called the Intercoastal Waterway. The barrier islands’ main job is to protect the mainland from the sea during storms. The waterway is a calm place perfect for kayaking on a beautiful day. I used to go kayaking alone in there and enjoy the peace in Florida.

On a stormy day, we don’t realize just how rough the seas are unless you go to the beachside to gaze at the turbulent ocean. Kayaking in the waterway, you’ll hear the waves, but you can’t discern how rough it is. The only way you’d know is if there were waves large enough to splash above the mangroves. Those are extremely rare. At that point, you’d know something big is happening and you don’t go to the beachside of the island.

The day Hurricane Ivan passed by Florida in 2004, I went to the beach alone and I was startled to see the huge waves. The beach had shrunk to mere feet from the steps. The slope of the beach was dramatically different—it was extremely steep. It was incredible to see and I wanted to experience it! Against my better judgement, I got in the water. The waves were way above my head slapping—now—crashing against the steep beach. I got pounded! I knew immediately to get out right away. Thank God I was strong enough to escape the pounding waves. I got back on the ferry boat that takes people from the mainland to the private beach. I was shaken by the power of the ocean.

We don’t know what God is doing while we’re kayaking peacefully down the waterway. We don’t know how He’s shaping us, shaping the beaches of our lives to prune us of our sinful desires, habits and behaviors. Until you venture out onto the beach and get pounded, and you realize exactly what God is doing. You let God take your sinful ways.

Don’t think He’s doing nothing in your life if you’re always kayaking in the waterway and not paying attention to the sea. The barrier islands are there to keep you safe. The barrier islands are God, the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and the angels they send to accomplish a goal.

Sometimes He will invite you to come to the beachside for a quick swim to surrender areas of your life and utterly change you overnight. One day, you will wake up and find your desire to drink or smoke completely eradicated. Or you don’t desire to watch unholy entertainment anymore. Or find that your grief is gone, or suddenly have patience with something you used to get angry about.

God is inviting you to keep kayaking but be discerning to when He wants you to pop over to the beachside and notice what He’s showing you.

Be blessed!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

500 Days of Devotion: A Journey into the Bible

Image
Day 1. I remember when I first made that decision clear as day, committing to reading the Bible every day. I was talking with my friend who said I should think of it like brushing my teeth every day. I felt shame for not reading until I decided to push past that shame. Fears of lapsing into old habits taunted me—I've tried becoming a regular Bible reader in the past, only to fall short. Could I really follow through this time? I had my doubts. But 500 days on, here I am. The transformation is undeniable, and it's not just about acquiring knowledge or ticking off a religious check box. It's about growth in my intimacy with God. My patience, once so fleeting, now seems more steadfast. It's not perfect, mind you, and there's plenty of room for improvement. But it's a start, and that in itself is something to be grateful for. Some of you remember how I used to grumble about chores—such burdensome tasks! Maybe some of you can relate to this. Recently, because I s
Read more

A Year of Reading the Bible

 Tonight is the eve of my anniversary in the personal decision to start reading the Bible. What a year it has been! God has been so, so good to me.  A year ago today, I recognized the despondent feelings I was having was spiritual. I grappled with what I was doing with my life, a mid-life crisis so to speak, if you consider that I am roughly halfway through the average expectancy lifespan. I was focused on writing books so I could build a better life for my tiny family someday when I have to be independent again. After my girls' father died unexpectedly, we went to live with my mom and her husband several states away. They opened their home to us, and they have been nothing but blessing to the three of us. They provided a stable home. There's nothing at all we have to worry about but to be a family.  But up to this time last year, I was a lukewarm, double-minded Christian who was in danger of falling away. I've tried many times for 8 years to find my way back to Jesus. I ba
Read more

You can grow in maturity if you remain in Christ. Read to learn how.

Image
  It’s okay to make mistakes. Recognize it, own it, and decide to not make the same mistake again.   I hope to encourage you with this verse using three different translations to bring it to light. James 3:2…   CSB: For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.   ERV: We all make many mistakes. A person who never said anything wrong would be perfect. Someone like that would be able to control their whole body.   TPT: We all fail in many areas, but especially with our words. Yet, if we’re able to bridle the words we say are powerful enough to control ourselves in every way, and that means our character is mature and fully developed. Do you see that? If you find that you have brought something into line with Christ, you are powerfully mature in God. Not in all areas of our lives, no (I wish! But on that glorious day, we will…), but you should recognize where you have been given power (grace) to re
Read more