Skies open and Spring pours. Farm fields and low-lying forests flood. We wait for earth to absorb excess and bring forth new life.
Absorb. How do we absorb Jesus when we are so flooded?
Flooded with worry. Flooded with doubt. Flooded with guilt. Flooded with grief. Flooded with anger. Flooded with fear. Flooded with—self.
How does the ground of our souls absorb and grow when we feel like we’re drowning—
like our noses just can’t quite rise above the water-line to catch the life-line?
Truth.
We absorb with truth.
Truth about us. Truth about others. Truth about circumstances. Truth about future. Truth about—
God.
Truth.
That’s how we survive flooding.
We drink deep of TRUTH.
And God’s word is true.
God’s word IS truth.
I gave it to her plain but gentle the other day. This woman flooded with feelings and hard life circumstances. But mostly, she is flooded with shame. So I gave her Philippians 4:8 . . . .
Whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is ADIMIRABLE—if anything is EXCELLENT or PRAISEWORTHY—think about such things.
I asked her to absorb truth about herself until it becomes part of her—automatic to her. I asked her to take the first word—TRUTH—and write down all the positive truths about her from God’s perspective, backed by His Word. I helped her get started and just—one—truth about herself, backed by God’s word—I watched her soul absorb it and I watched her countenance change.
She smiled.
Truth helps us float through the floods.
Look at the earth!
God floods.
But He promised to never flood so completely as in the ONE GREAT FLOOD, ever again.
God’s grace is sufficient for any flood we feel.
Though we feel we might drown—though we think we cannot absorb one—more—thing, we can still absorb His grace. And the ground of our souls will soften and ready for seed to be sown. And we will take in and grow up and produce plentiful harvest.
All in due time. ALL IN GOD’S TIME—if we let the farmer of our souls work with the floods, rest in His care, absorb all truth. The waters may not recede right away, but sure as the spring fields around here will be sprouting green soon, so will our souls—all in God’s time.
And as each field around here will grow its own—corn, wheat, soybeans—so each soul will grow its own. As God sows, God grows. And God reaps and distributes the bounty.
And we all feed and are filled.
The fields and the trees don’t fear being flooded to death. They know. They know it’s just the season. They know God is in control of the floods.
God is in control.
No need to fear drowning—in whatever.
God will help us absorb and grow. And all the excess we can’t absorb. He’ll take it. Will we give it?
He’s waiting.
So in the flood seasons of life, let’s remember to set our sights on God, not present circumstances. Let’s remember that God will not let us drown if we keep holding on to Him. God’s in control of the floods. And there’s life after floods. There’s life IN the flood.
God will see us through.
God will make us new.
Focus on what’s TRUE.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. . . For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” John 14:1
And Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6