The picture above holds more childhood memories than I could ever explain to you. What you are seeing is a section of the brook that runs through Spring Mill State Park Pioneer Village. My earliest vacation memories originate in this very State Park. Growing up camping was the most economical way for a family of four to vacay, and we did it a lot!
I can't tell you how many times I sat next to this brook to cool off or waded into it with my parents. I can't fathom how many hours I sat on the banks just listening to the sound of the water as it bounded through the village. Then one very special day a few years back, God taught me the coolest lesson sitting on the banks of this very brook.
Now there is something you need to understand about the way God talks to me. Some of the most astounding revelations I have received from God in my life have been while I was on or around water. I would love to explain it, but I can't. Some people go to the beach to get tan, I go with my Bible, a notebook, and an expectant heart. Some people get in a canoe to slowly drift down the river, I go with a notebook or digital recorder on me somewhere just in case. Something about the water calms my spirit enough to hear God's voice so clearly it's as if he were sitting right beside me. So it is no wonder, I would learn a lesson sitting by this brook.
My family was there on vacation like so many times before, but instead of camping we decided to stay in the parks Inn. I can never seem to sleep soundly in a strange place, so I got up extremely early one morning and headed out on my own. I took the trail behind the Inn down to the pioneer village.
In my backpack, I had my Bible, a notebook and a pen. It was my plan to have my devotional time in one of my favorite spots. As I sat down on the stone wall that sat on the banks of the brook, I closed my eyes tight to listen to the sweet sound of the water as it rushed by. I realized at that moment how much the water sounded like music to me. Quietly I heard a voice whisper to me and say, "If the water never crashed upon the rocks, the brook would never sing."
So simple, so true. If the water never endured the clash of the stones in the brook as it made its way, it would never sing the sweet melody that I loved so much. What a simple but powerful reminder.
We all endure hardships in life. We feel as if we have been beaten, perhaps at times even defeated. But who would we be had we not encountered those struggles. In
James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything."
Sometimes we must go through some struggle to learn, to grow stronger. It doesn't mean it's fun but a necessary part of life. As we find our way through difficulties, we grow stronger and gain the experience we need for tomorrow. At least we haven't been through as much as Paul in 2 Corinthians. He boasted about it! I find this passage awesomely hilarious.
2 Corinthians 11:23-30, 12:9-10
"Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk
like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more
frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and
again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was
beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked,
I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly
on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in
danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in
danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and
toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and
have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything
else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do
not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?If I must boast, I will boast of the things
that show my weakness.But
he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for
my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more
gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That
is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,
in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Paul, the greatest missionary to ever walk the Earth, was proud of the mess of his life because God used the mess in his life to reach the World. We may struggle, but in our weakness Christ makes us strong and can use our story to impact those around us.
Today, you may feel that you can't endure one more hardship. You may feel abandoned by God and too weak to fight. I think we have all been there at some time in our lives. But allow God to build you up! To take you through those struggles, and to build you up, to make you strong. You are never alone. God is always with you, and He does care for you. Just don't give up, keep waiting on Him and he will answer your prayers. God has an answer, and he will use your life to help others find their way.
I love that little brook in the pioneer village. It is a source of great peace for me and a powerful reminder that with every struggle I endure my voice grows. Just like the water with every stone it clashes against, my life sings past the pain. God can use my struggle to not only change the lives of others, but to strengthen me in my walk with Him.
I love Carrie Underwood's song, "Something in the Water." I think it is a beautiful way to wrap up this little life lesson.
