It was a beautiful evening. I hadn’t been fishing in a couple of years. Not that I ever made a habit of fishing on the lake. My inclination has never been to sit quietly and wait for a bite, I’d rather look at the sky, smell the fresh water and take in all the majestic sounds and sights of nature all around me.
The soulful water was so still and quiet, like glass as it reflected a pink and purple sunset coming on. The frogs in the weeds were croaking, as a bald eagle flew overhead, and all the world at least for a moment was at peace. Silence, save the sounds of the natural happenings on a lively New England Pond, was seemingly something out of another world, in this hectic media driven, politics blaring society in which we move. Silence seems almost from.another time, another life. I soaked it up like water in the desert and pondered how simple life once was. Could it ever return to such unfettered calm? Could I ever grasp and live and move and have my being in this peace?
With the onset of phones, the internet, the political unrest, and all the chaos and disturbance in our world today it would seem a simple life would be unreachable. Yet it’s there, for those who seek it. Nature is all around us. You just have to look for it. You have to purpose to see it, and experience it, like hidden treasure. But more than anything, you have to value it.
Our God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. He hasn’t changed. His values, commandments and love for us has never altered. It is as infinite now as it was the day He wove us in our mother’s womb. It is as available as ever. Yet we are so busy, so very distracted, we quite forget that He is here, that He is calling to each one of us to come and dine with Him, and to know Him.
Being out in nature, on this Pond, listening to the ripple of the smooth water as it rolls over my ore, I think about God. I look up at the sky, and He feels closer, not so distant. I am reminded of all that really matters in life is rather small, and my big problems aren’t forever. The stars creep through the chicory sky , a silver moon comes out to greet me and I remember life won’t always be this way, feel this way. My God is my rock and my fortress, He never changes. He reminds me that all the whirlwinds of life and change, loss and pain, its all passing. Passing away. But eternity is infinite, like the depths of the deep blue curtain hanging overhead, eternity awaits and is forever.
Go’s hasn’t changed. He exists, and sits on His throne high above all the fray of this earthly life. He invites you and me to step into His light and warm embrace and rest from our weary journey. There is a peace and a solace in the arms of God. But you must look for it, tune out of this crazy world and purpose to find Him.
Sarah Hopkins Art 