Water. God.

I am mesmerized by water. Absolutely in awe of the stuff. I mean, think about it. Think about all the places all over the world that water is. It's in lakes, oceans, rivers; it's in ponds, sewers, mudpuddles, fire hydrants, camel humps; it's in toilets, showers, sinks; it's inside of us. And then think about water itself. There is something so calming and refreshing about water: a relaxing day fishing, a nice hot shower or cold shower after a good run, a wonderful day at the beach. And yet, there is something so powerful and terrible about water: a kayak careening out of control down an angry rapid river, a hurricane or huge waves of a tsunami, a person submerged in a body of water unable to swim, a power plant thriving on the dam it sits next to. Water is incredible. I love to be in water; I love boating and fishing and swimming, yet at any moment when I am doing any water activities I can be overtaken by an overwhelming sense of fear. Seriously, this happens to me every time I swim or boat or am near a large body of water. I feel safe, at ease, and carelessly and joyously am enjoying the day when suddenly my chest feels tight and I think, "What if I forget how to swim? What if the boat goes down? What if a storm suddenly comes up and the water surrounds me? What if I died in this water?" Soon I forget my fear and continue whatever I am doing, but later am in awe at the rapid way my thoughts changed. To me, water is like God. I mean think about it. Think about all the places God is. He is everywhere and touches everything, clean or unclean... just like water. And think about God Himself. There is something so calming and refreshing about our Maker, and yet there is something so powerful and terrible about Him. God is incredible. And much like water, God can be longed for, wanted and desired as in a time of drought, yet at the same time He can be feared and ran from like the fear of the coming of the rainy season before being fully prepared, or the coming of a storm with no shelter, or the fear of drowning in a lake with no life jacket. I am mesmerized with God. I love being in a relationship with Him the same as I love to be in water. Yet, I struggle similarly. I'll be feeling safe, at ease, and carelessly and joyfully enjoying life when suddenly my chest feels tight as I think about the future and I think, "What if I make a wrong decision? What if my dreams and all that I worked hard for falls down? What if a storm suddenly comes up and surrounds me? What if I lose those close to me?" It is interesting then to note that the more I dig into God in my moments of fear, I quickly lose my fear and continue whatever it is I am doing, and then later step back and look in awe at the rapid change of my thoughts and how easily I succumbed to fear and let it overtake me. And I realize that mine is a journey of trust. I am learning to love the water and yet be in awe and fear of its power and might, yet not dwell in that fear but trust that when I forget to swim that a life-jacket will be there, or when the storms come, that there will be something to hold on to so that I am not destroyed. Amazing, isn't it? Water is incredible. God is incredible.

Check out these incredible pictures of water... Clear, beautiful water, Dirty, mirky, contaminated water, Powerful, gorgeous water, Drops of Water, and Incredible, devastating water breaking everything in its path, and water calm enough to fill a bath and cleanse our hands. Water. God. Amazing.