That Saturday I walked along the sandy cliffs until I found a spot that was rather uninhabited, not a soul in sight at the time. I took pic after pic after pic of the sights, and after a while just sat down to take in the sounds and scenery. While sitting on a rock overlooking the ocean I started really listening and taking in the surroundings. At that moment I could sense the presence of God all around me. I felt Him leading me to just listen to the waves crashing against the rocks, watch - take in my surroundings. What I experienced that day was nothing short of amazing. I felt the ocean crash against the rocks - really CRASH with such force - roaring like thunder. The cliff on which I sat shuttered with the force of the crash. But - IT - stood firm. It's as if the rocks said - "far enough ocean - you've reached your boundary. Beat on me all you want - you're not going any farther." The rock was solid. All of a sudden I heard a scream and turned to watch two young girls, and another couple running from a wave that escaped the boundaries of the water and sprayed all over them. They were at a spot that one could have believed was safe and dry. My spot would be more conspicuous than where they were. Mine jutted out further into the water, but no, I was dry. Not a drop of water on me. It was then that the Lord revealed by my surroundings that no matter how turbulent my life could seem, that as long as I stood secure on the Solid Rock, no harm would befall me. I felt so sure for the first time in a long time. I broke down crying before the Creator, not only of the grand creation around me, but of He also created me. From that point on I started calling that place My Rock. It became my Bethel.
Fast forward a couple of years, and I found myself in another turbulent period. Too many errors I've made this year, too many disappointment and blunders. I needed to get back to "my rock". I had many opportunities to go, but kept having to put it off. Too many other responsibilities took priority over returning to Bethel.
I made my trip this past weekend. My first order was to find my rock. I went to what I thought was my destination. Unfortunately, it was full of people. Lots and lots of people. I started feeling frustrated by my surroundings. I thought I'd found my rock, but I couldn't have been more wrong. To make matters worse, one huge wave came up and not only sprayed me, but absolutely douced me with ocean water. Nope, this was not what I made the trip for. I tried to talk to God, but how?? Really?? There was nothing there. "Well, I'm here, just get up and move. This still an awesome place."
So, I got up and moved. I climbed up the sandy/rocky cliffs and just moved. The higher I climbed, the more I realized I could see more beauty of the spot. This day the ocean was in an uproar. The waves were massive, the crashing was tremendous and tumultuous - much like my life! Yet, it was an awesome sight to behold. Then I started to listen. Wow! What a sound - the crashing waves were thunderous!!! Each wave crashed with such force that I thought honestly that they was going to take down some of those cliffs. The sights and sounds just drew me downward toward the cliff's edge. As I reached the edge I once again became aware of the awesomeness of where I was. I was - standing in the midst of God's glory and beauty. It surrounded me - the sights, the sounds, the sun, the surf. It was amazing - I was amazed. I sat on the edge and watched the crashing waves. It was then that I realized I didn't need a "rock" - quite frankly I had made my rock into a shrine. I allowed myself to believe that in order to find the answers I needed, or to just feel in the presence of the Lord I had to get to my rock, as though the rock was the only place to find peace and solace. No, instead my peace was and is with Creator of the rock. This time I laughed, and I cried, and I sat and watched and felt each wave crash on the rocks and shoreline. Then I heard a scream. I turned in time to see a couple run from a rogue wave that broke the barriers of the cliff and sprayed all over them. (in Yogi Berraism - it was like deja vu all over again!!) Me? I sat at the edge of the ocean on the rock that jutted out over the ocean. I was dry, secure, and at peace with the Creator. Indeed, I found my Rock! He is the one who created all the majestic beauty, and He knows and loves me enough to reveal Himself all around me.
OH, and I managed to snap this picture just in time!!
Deborah, Debbie, but NEVER Deb!!!
Great post! Many different ways to be taught (and re-taught) life's lesson.
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