It was thrilling and terrifying… all at once.
The river, just inches deep yesterday, had suddenly swelled to a raging torrent. Waterfalls flattened as the water rose to fill the troughs. The river jumped its banks and swirled at the road’s edge… gouging out asphalt as if it were sand.
Our river. The gentle, scenic one we pass by every day on our bikes. In a flash, it went from the dryest we had ever seen it to the most flooded. Could this be why people call it a “flash flood”?
We joked about tackling it in our canoe. Except that we wanted to live past today.
Clear and Present Danger.
How much rain was it, Lord? The forecasters had predicted three to five inches in the span of eight hours. Could it have been more???
Like typical storm chasers and photography buffs, we ventured out… even as the rain reduced visibility to almost zero. Big Bertha — our Chevy Silverado truck — navigated the flooded roads with relative ease. The photos will be evidence of conditions we may never see again.
When the river rose in one place at least six feet to lap the bottom of a concrete bridge, we decided it was time to head back home. While we still could.
I’ll say it again. It was thrilling and terrifying… all at once.
Like I imagine You could seem, Lord… if we saw You up close, in the fullness of Your Power.
“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. Then He placed His right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid, I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! and I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17-18)
And this was John??? One of Your “inner circle” among the first apostles??? Who lived with You and followed You intimately for the three years of Your earthly ministry???
I love that song, “I Can Only Imagine.” Wondering what I will do when I finally see You face-to-face. After seeing that raging river today, I would have to change that song. To something much more likely.
“I Can’t Even Imagine”!!!
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than Your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.” (Psalm 111:10)
One day, Your enemies will see You approaching. Your Sword at the ready. They won’t fear (revere) You even then. And it will be their destruction.
Clear and Present Justice.
One day, I will see You approaching. My Forever Bridegroom, extending Your hand to me… Your long-awaited Bride. I can’t even begin to list the many emotions I will feel. And it will be my Eternal Blessing!
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness…” (Jeremiah 31:3)
Clear and Present Passion!
Until then, I remain joyfully Yours…
… with my heart rate returning to normal (at least for now)… 🙂
Abba’s Girl