COFFEE ON THE DOCK

At times, life accelerates so quickly we get unzipped; at that point, even the simplest things are bewildering. The first step to recovering equilibrium is always the same; above all else I must trust the sovereignty, oversight and goodness of God. While I may get confused about who I am or what I must do, the Lord of Heaven and Earth is never disoriented or perplexed. Circumstances may make me feel trapped, but the Alpha and Omega is never boxed in by the temporal. Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the Universe, in Your Mighty Hands my soul safely rests. May Your peace rule my heart at all times. 

A stroll on a sandy beach provides hidden treasures placed there by the creative forethought of God. The ebb and flow of tides opens the treasury of the seas for those who stroll along the shore. God sees to it that each day offers the same to all mankind, wherever we are on earth; hidden treasures carefully placed by the Hand of God. The angels had it right: "Glory to God in the Highest, good will toward men." Lord of Constant Wonders, teach me to slow my pace and pay greater attention to Your quiet handiwork. Open the eyes of my heart to Your daily divine deposits.

Junkyards, with their messy spread of old or wrecked cars can be eerily fascinating; so many stories are connected to the rusting heaps as they sit in inert silence. People often end up in the same condition, inanimate objects wasting away as a result of past wrecks or inattention. God created us with the capacity to finish our race with the same potential we start with. Will I finish as a decrepit rust-bucket or an antique classic? I choose the latter. O Lord My Creator, help me run well to the finish line. Infuse me with Your power that I may charge ahead till my last breath. May the full extent of my purpose here be completed. 

I really do loathe speed bumps, so I avoid them as much as possible. Understanding their purpose and safety value doesn’t seem to help my attitude toward them whatsoever. Over time I have devised numerous workarounds to circumvent them or limit wheel contact. Commentary on their size, placement, justification and frequency is seemingly obligatory. Slowing down when I’m ready to roll just bothers me. Father, I think I understand; thank You for the necessary slowdowns of life. While I may never come to appreciate earthly speed bumps, I will not resent Your placement of required pauses. 

God is never limited by my circumstances. The same Sovereign Lord who hung the stars like ornaments is more than able to deal with my issues. The biggest mountains look miniscule from a few miles above the earth’s surface; I must trust the Almighty One who looks down upon my needs from heaven while holding the universe in the palm of His hand. Father, You tower over every lack and rule over all things. When I consider Your Awesomeness and the smallness of my problems my fears are vanquished. I am so grateful for Your long-suffering forbearance with my sagging heart.

I marvel at the skill of professional whitewater kayakers, perhaps because they demonstrate that extreme dangers and incredible adventures inhabit the same space. To simply follow human instinct apart from divine purpose and guidance is like being thrown into cascading rapids. To navigate the churning challenges of relationships, health, prosperity, ambition and mission, I need God’s constant help. Seeking Him should never be a last resort. Father in Heaven, Giver of Life, I realize skillful living requires Your will, Your way, Your timing, Your path and Your choices. I yield this day to Your Hands. 

To the brokenhearted…JOY! To the falsely accused…JOY! To the misunderstood…JOY! To the disappointed…JOY! To the repentant sinner…JOY! To the imprisoned or condemned…JOY! To the lonely…JOY! To the rejected…JOY! To the abandoned…JOY! To the widow and widower…JOY! To the newborn or elderly…JOY! To the calloused heart…JOY! To those proclaimed terminally ill…JOY! To those trapped in darkness…JOY! To those with waning hope…JOY! To the cowardly or brave…JOY! To the guilty or just…JOY! To the rich or poor…JOY! JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD HAS COME!