Our family vacations often take us to the beach. We love to soak up the sun and enjoy the refreshing water and beach sports. On a recent vacation, we forgot to check the tide schedule before heading over to the beach. When we arrived, there was barely enough room to stake our claim with beach chairs and an umbrella. The high-tide ocean was literally at our feet.
The landscape of any seashore drastically changes appearance with the ebb and flow of each ocean’s tide. That afternoon, only hours later, the water receded with the low tide and we had much more terrain in which we could relax and enjoy.
My life sometimes takes on a similar turn. During “high tide” seasons of my life, I feel confined to the busyness and pressures of deadlines, schedules, and appointments. There’s not a lot of room to simply let loose and enjoy life.
At other times, my life seems to have more space and time than I know what to do with.
During our recent Christmas holiday break, my life was extremely chaotic. My busy schedule went from one thing to the next. Don’t get me wrong. All of the festivities were a blessing, and I loved having time with my family and friends. It’s just that the crammed schedule didn’t lend itself to much time for rest, especially since I was hosting out of town guests and holiday dinners.
“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” (Exodus 33:14)
Within one week, the landscape of my life looked totally different. My high tide schedule began to recede. The holidays were over and our out of town guests went home. Days later our son left for Japan to study abroad and my husband resumed his travel work schedule. Suddenly, I had more time than I knew what to do with.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1a)
Seasons come and seasons go but I’m encouraged to know that much like the ocean’s tides, the highs and lows of life will continue to come and go. Rather than focusing on the great expanse before us, we need to focus on the one who controls the ebb and flow of each moment. Just when the pressures of life get to be too much, God will pull back the tide and provide us with much needed space and rest.
“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:5-7)