On a recent visit to my local river I observed several out
of place objects-a bulldozer, excavator, pick-up trucks… The natural area looked, and still looks,
like a construction zone rather than a serene wildlife area. Seeing this sight
would have struck fear and anger into many nature loving people. Prompting questions like “Are they
developing the park?” “Is something unsafe?” “Why would they destroy this
area?” Yet when I (one of those nature loving people) looked at the vehicles I
saw hope, purpose, and a future. Why
the difference….it’s all in perspective
I was already aware of the park management’s restoration
activities. You see, the river historically had streamflows high enough to
support a 100’ wide streambed and surrounding riparian area. But, after decades
of water diversion projects for flood control and human use, the river can now
only support a bed around 40’ wide. This is readily apparent when you look down
at the river and see that it is only a couple inches deep in many areas. The
river can no longer perform its function. So, the park is working to decrease
channel width and subsequently deepen and increase streamflows which should
improve the overall health of the ecosystem.
As I thought about this scenario, I realized it is a great
metaphor for trials in our lives. Sometimes God uses heavy machinery to reshape
us, to restore our function and relationship with Him, or to improve our
overall spiritual health. Imagine being a beaver living on that river. What
would you think seeing all the excavation done to your home? I imagine it would
be quite frightening. Why? Because you would have no perspective, no view of
the plan. It can feel this way with God, too. His ways are above ours and many
times we cannot see the big picture, only the immediate difficulties and pain.
The book of Job provides a great Biblical proof of this. Job needed to learn
more about who he was and who God was. God allowed Satan to take Job to the
breaking point so that he could come to a fuller knowledge of God. As a reader,
we see God’s plan, but Job had no idea why this was happening. He had to trust
that God is who He says He is.
So the next time life isn’t puppies and candy canes,
remember that confused beaver, remember Job, and remember God. You are likely
in the middle of one of God’s great restoration projects.
By C Sampson
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