The Strong Swimmer Drowns

Good morning on this cloudy Thursday! You have seen a similar headline at some point in your life. Living near the ocean makes it all the more likely. Of course, my little town in north-eastern Colorado is about as far from the ocean as it gets. What happens is that a strong swimmer from a Midwestern town heads out to swim in the ocean and gets caught in a rip current. The swimmer can see the shore and puts forth all his strength to swim to the shore against a current that no human can hope to match. Exhausted beyond his means to stay afloat, he drowns and another sad tale is added to the lore of the ocean. Meanwhile, the weaker, but more experienced, swimmer from a coastal town rides the current back to shore at a place further down the coast and walks back to her truck. If you feel a politically-correct rant rising up within you then simply reverse the he and she if you prefer.

Many things in this world are too strong for us to fight or swim against. The strong swimmer is overwhelmed by the power of the ocean. The gentle politician is overwhelmed by the arena of political mud slinging. Fame chews up and spits out the well-meaning but unprepared new starlet. Each of us will find that his or her strength is too little for the world. The story of the mighty warrior who raised his spear to shout down the thunderstorm with words of power only to die from the lightning bolt is a bit of dark humor from this world. Of course he couldn't fight a thunderstorm, but we often find a similar battle taking place in this life, and you or I are the one playing the mighty but foolish warrior.

Put on the whole armor of God, but seek wisdom along with your new gear. You may shout the scriptures at a herd of cattle, but surely we can find a better use for the Word, the sword of the Spirit. An example: a headline in today's news: "Using obituaries, burglars target homes during funerals." Hmm, people like me, veterans and others suffering from PTSD, have trouble attending funerals. However, we are quite capable of serving by watching the home while the funeral service is held.

Walk with God on your journey this day,
Bucky