Friday, January 18, 2008

Deception’s Waters


Was going through a stack of photos, and came across ones taken a couple of years ago while vacationing in the State of Washington. The location was Deception Bay, Puget Sound - what an overwhelming sight - the water appearing deep and serene. However, its character was misleading for in moving around its edges, it offered a new perception at every angle.

Stories tell that years ago ship captains guided their ships into the bay’s beautiful waters thinking it was a place of safety in the midst of the sea's storms. Inside the cove, they found the waters, in many places, to be shallow, rocky and turbulent. Its deceptiveness caused many a shipwreck, leaving mighty ships broken apart, with their crews wounded or having perished. I can’t help but think the bay stands as a lesson to guard ourselves at all times, even when all seems calm and peaceful on the surface - for it is the underlying conditions, not readily seen, that may be perilous and destroy the spirit. My poem is written as a reminder not to be complacent but guard myself from becoming a statistic of shipwreck.

Swells boisterously rise above shades of gray,
unmercifully lurching as beasts toward their prey.
In patterns of frustration they ruthlessly toss,
determined to dash anything in their path to cross.

Pivoting wildly beneath, water in the unrest of a storm,
every motion aspiring to seize an unfamiliar form.
Cunningly deception lies on the crest of the wave,
as a fortress, to conquer those daring in self to be brave.

Waters continually strike at each vessel’s existence,
hoping strength is gone, for to offer little resistance.
But as adversity comes to conquer, it must subside again,
it is here that one’s faith must regroup if a victory to win.

The secret in mastering the storms that reside in the sea,
is to set sail toward the pristine shore known as eternity.
For in trusting we embark on a voyage navigated from above,
and we will reach our destination in the safety of love.


Isn’t it wonderful that God speaks to us through the elements of nature? Why not look around your environment as I am sure He has a lesson waiting just for you.

9 comments:

Catherine Roseberry-Meyer said...

Yes God teaches us through nature. It happened to me many times. Those lessons were powerful - object lessons - we did that in Sunday School.

Karen J. Hopper said...

Catherine, I knew you would agree by the beautiful pictures of nature that you display on your Looking In blog. Guess God speaks through nature, because sometimes we have trouble hearing His voice - and then, plop, right before us is the answer in the skies, clouds, seas, rivers, mountains, flowers, animals, and the list goes on and on.

Megan said...

Isnt God Awesome?!?! Great Poem!

Karen J. Hopper said...

Megan, He is Awesome, and we are privileged to be one of His.

Jana Allard said...

Today, Bryn and I marveled over some very tiny, pink roses blooming in the kitchen window sill. Great or small, God is amazing.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures and a great lesson. Thank you for the reminder. I don't want to be lulled into what appears to be safety, but is in fact dangerous. I want to rest safe in the arms of Jesus.

shirley Buxton
www.shirleybuxton.wordpress.com

Karen J. Hopper said...

Jana, the tiniest flower can reflect the biggest lesson. Bro Hopper is so in to roses. We have around 100 tree roses on our property - then add the climbers and bushes. Their beauty is overwhelming - and each one speaks a different message.

Sis Shirley. It certainly is wonderful to "rest safe in the arms of Jesus." Safe in His arms, I like that.

Rochelle said...

I love the way God speaks through His creation like this. The ocean is a place I can sit for hours and stare out into the ocean and be reminded that He is control of it all. Great post and beautiful pictures.

Karen J. Hopper said...

Rochelle, I know what you mean by sitting at the ocean. It is the place where you can get lost in the Creator. Pray all is going well and you are enjoying your classes.