NORMAN — We were on a journey of discovery and adventure. The woods behind my Uncle William’s house provided the opportunity for my cousin Joan and me. We were preteen so who wanted to play in the confines of a yard when you could escape into the universe of a forest?
The possibilities were endless. So, we dashed here and there, waded through South Georgia’s dark tea colored streams, excitedly looking under rocks to see what creatures existed below, laughing and scouting for the next wonder waiting around the bend.
Suddenly, we stood looking over a ravine. The water dropped right before us. We eased to the edge and peered down marveling at the sight below. The waterfall was spectacular. How was this possible we wondered? Yet, although deep the ravine was not too wide. We could imagine that with real effort someone could take a running jump and safely land on the other side. I wondered nervously if this was an optical illusion. Then, without warning, Joan grabbed my hand and said with a knowing confident smile “We can make it.” I had my doubts but amazingly what came out of my mouth was “OK, if you say so.”
Holding hands and with zealous determination we took off running and jumped. We missed-judged and began to plummet. Falling but somehow still holding hands I turned to Joan, “I thought you said we can make it?” No comment, just her knowing confident smile. Down we went. Seconds later we hit the water. I remembered plunging deep as the darkness eagerly engulfed me. I could barely see the light above but that refracted ray was enough to give me direction and purpose. Air bubbles swirled all around me as I swam valiantly toward the light. I dared not look back into the dark abyss. The light shined brighter and brighter. I was getting close to the water’s edge and intuited that my cousin was about to do the same.
Seconds later I broke through to the surface. Then I woke up. After all these years this dream has come to mean something very special. Here is why. Our life-journey in Jesus Christ is one of discovery and true adventure. We experience surprises, mysteries, treasures, as well as difficulties and trouble. Like my dream, we often come to a crossroad or ravine in life that throws us in a difficult situation. We experience a thrill of leaping over the problem or being literally thrown into deep water.
At this point we cry out like David, “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.” Psalms 69:1
Make no mistake, as depicted in my dream, the forces of darkness (the miry depths) seeks to confuse and overwhelm us. The abyss pulls us in a direction that will lead to greater depths of hopelessness. In these moments of real pressure and despair we thankfully have the light of Jesus as a beacon to hone in on to rise to safety. We dare not look back so we look up to the cross and rise in faith. “The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalms 27:1
You see, after all is said and done; we can make it through anything in life. Why? Jesus gives us the power and victory. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37
Although a dream, I will be forever grateful to my dear cousin Joan as she with a courageous knowing confident smile held my hand to say “We can make it.” Together, we can and so can you. Today, someone needs that spiritual nudge and support.
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