As We Wait …
We are learning a variety of things. Karen Silva sent to me the following lesson she learned. Jim and Karen Silva were a part of CCV until last November when they moved into a beautiful home in St Augustine, close to Karen’s mom. I love how the Lord teaches us through real-life experiences. This one definitely needs to be shared…
“I love swimming in the ocean! The fresh air, the fresh water, the waves feeling like they are washing away all cares, are all part of an experience that brings joy and makes me feel alive. Afterwards I feel invigorated and refreshed.
I was swimming with my husband the other day. I was a bit apprehensive because I wasn’t feeling great; my joints were sore and when that happens I feel weak. The waves were large so I decided I would go in the water, but would stay closer to shore so that it would be easier to get up if a wave knocked me over.
Jim on the other hand, forged out and was delighting in swimming amidst the large and powerful waves. I was having fun, but not fully enjoying the experience as I often do. The waves were slapping me and sometimes nearly knocking me off my feet. One of them even knocked me over, but I quickly got back up.
Jim was coaxing me to come deeper, reassuring me that if I did get knocked down that he would pick me up. I let him know I wasn’t comfortable going any deeper. Jim, knowing how much I enjoyed swimming and wanting me to come close to him and share the enjoyable experience he was having, kept telling me to “come out.” Again, I told him I wasn’t comfortable, as I focused on the weakness in my body and the powerful waves.
Jim said that if I would just get beyond where I was, that the waves weren’t as powerful and I could just float and enjoy them. I relented and joined him. Once I pressed beyond the crashing waves, I found he was right! Just going a little deeper I was able to float over the waves, swim and have that joyful, invigorating experience that I love! I knew that I was safe near Jim because he would ensure my safety. I reveled in this wonderful time shared with Jim and in God’s amazing creation of the ocean.
After it was over, I couldn’t help but see God’s love expressed through Jim. God continually pursues me in His love as Jim was; wanting me to experience His abundant life and blessings to the fullest. He knows my weaknesses and is my strength in them. God is my safety and holds me and catches me when I fall, as Jim does. God is my strength to press forward and knows that on the other side of the challenges and trials that feel like overwhelming, crashing waves, is more abundance and are deeper and amazing experiences in Him. He knows that my faith grows when I forge through the waves knowing He is with me, as Jim did that day. God gives me the strength and power to get though the overwhelming, crashing waves and lovingly takes my hand as I say “yes” to the challenge, as Jim did. There is such freedom, joy and more of His blessings on the other side!
I thank God for pursuing me in His love and that He has given me a husband who does the same. Lord Jesus, help me to never resist all that You have for me, especially the trials; knowing that persevering in Your strength and purposes leads me into amazing, new and exciting places, all the while basking in Your presence and floating on Your waves of love, peace, joy and victory.”
2 Corinthians 12:9:
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.“
1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.“
1 Corinthians 15:57
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.“
What the Lord taught Karen through her life experience in the ocean was a pattern of truth that can be grabbed hold of in a diversity of everyday situations. Thank you Karen for saying “yes” to sharing what you’ve learned with your CCV out-of-town-family, especially because we are landlocked … until we travel East or West from Central Florida!!
Love and misses to Karen and Jim,
From your CCV Family
