The Natural Pool

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:27-30 ESV). Recently I was going through some of the pictures Mary and I have taken on previous vacations. On one of those vacations we participated in a horseback ride over the mountains and down to the seashore. The trail we rode wound its way up about 2,000 feet in elevation and gave us a spectacular view of “the Natural Pool.” When I saw a picture of it lwith its rock encircled formation, it reminded me of how powerful the waves were that hit it. They built up under the surface of the water, becoming larger and larger as the moments ticked away. Then they crested, roll over, crashed against the rocks, making a very loud noise, bubble and foam. Then the wave was gone. This pattern repeated over and over again. Waves at the beach are never ending. One is gone, and the next rolls in, one after another. Some are larger and louder than the others are, but they keep rolling into shore. It was very beautiful. I believe life's problems are like that. They build up, peak, and dissipate. They may be large, small, or in-between, but they keep on coming. They may crash your life with a resounding bang or make a more soft and subtle noise, but they keep on coming. They may deal with emotions, health, finances, family relationships, or a variety of other difficulties one must face in a lifetime, but they keep on coming. As long as we live in this world, we will face one dilemma after another, be it large or small. The unending load gets heavy after a while, and the waves of life can beat away at a person the same as ocean waves pound at the shoreline. Jesus has told us to come to Him with our burdens and He will give us rest. He said to cast our cares upon Him, for He cares for us. He said He would send the Holy Spirit to be our comforter and guide; to give us wisdom and the strength to survive the battering waves of life. He promised this in the Bible to all who will reach out to Him and believe in Him. If the constant waves of life are beating you down, depleting life's energy out of you, like the grains of sand that are pulled back into the ocean with each wave, call upon Jesus. He will answer the call - you can count on Him. Douglas Malloch has a nice poem that inspires: The hills ahead look steep and high, And often we behold them with a sigh; But as we near them level grows the road, We find on every slope, with every load, The climb is not so steep, the top so far. The hills ahead look harder than they are. Trusting Jesus will make the hills much easier to climb! Trust Him!