Sunday, October 10, 2010

Sunday by a Waterfall

This past weekend with my parents was wonderful! We actually didn't end up going to the E.Z. Orchards HarvestFest because it was rather rainy here in Salem. However, we did go to Silver Falls State Park, which was beautiful, even in the rain!

While we were there, we spent most of our time at the South Falls, which had trails all around it. We could go on a trail behind it, above it, and around below it. And while I was there I was blessed by a look at perspectives.

As humans we are like a little droplet or stream of water that makes one small part of a big waterfall. Before we reach the big drop-off, we slowly meander along, unaware of what lies ahead. And then when we reach the edge, we see a free-fall that scares us and seems completely wrong. We can't see the big picture from our place within the waterfall.

But God sees it all--and far more than we can imagine. God sees the whole, beautiful waterfall. He can see where we are, the fear we have of the unknown that lies before us and the falls we have to go through. But He also sees how each little droplet comes together to form something both spectacular and awe-inspiring when seen in its entirety.

He sees the slow motion free-fall, and He sees the grandeur from a distance. And we can trust in His all-encompassing perspective that is so far beyond our own.

The falls we endure can be painful and difficult. But know that the entire waterfall God sees is stunning. He has a purpose for all of us, and the droplets of our lives come together in ways we can't even comprehend to form a living, powerful praise to God and His design.

This is just one small analogy, and it can't even come close to fully demonstrating the greatness of God's plan for our lives. But I just wanted to share with you the encouragement I received from witnessing one lovely and amazing part of God's creation.

"Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it."
~Ecclesiastes 8:17

(The picture above is of the South Falls and is from Salemoregon.com.)

8 comments:

Diane said...

Beautiful analogy. Glad you had a super day! :O)

Amber Holcomb said...

Diane,

It was so wonderful to be reminded of God's sovereignty and simply enjoy His creation this past Saturday! I definitely had a super day. :)

Thank you so much for stopping by!

~Amber

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

Beautiful! :-)

XOXO~ Renee

Casey said...

Hmm, that is really lovely Amber. Well written and gripping. Perfect way to end my Sunday. Thank you. :)

Michelle said...

Thank you, Amber. I needed to read this.

Renee Ann said...

Thanks for the encouraging words!

Amanda Stanley said...

Goodness, how very beautiful! You are such a blessing, my friend :) Casey's absolutely right, it is the perfect way to end our Sunday! Your "Sunday by the Sea" (or in this case, "waterfall" ;) posts always seem to have such an anointing about them. The words are weaved with a peace that settles upon the soul and continues to bless all week long! Thank you so much for sharing this with us :)

And, I'm so happy you had a wonderful time with your precious parents! I pray their visit brought some strength and comfort while you're away from home- a hug from mom and dad has the power to do that, ya know ;)

Blessings,
Amanda Stanley

Amber Holcomb said...

RENEE: Awwww, thank you! God's creation is beautiful and I'm so glad I could spend time soaking it in this past weekend. :)

CASEY: I love writing these posts, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Hope your Sunday was wonderful!

MICHELLE: You're welcome. :) I hope God might use me to encourage others. Thank YOU for encouraging me!

RENEE ANN: You're welcome! Thanks for reading them. :) I'm glad you stopped by!

AMANDA: Oh, your words mean so much to me! I'm so glad you're enjoying these "Sunday by the Sea" (and "Sunday by a Waterfall!") posts. I love writing them and reflecting on these aspects of what God has created. His handiwork is gorgeous!

And yes--the visit from my parents was wonderful!!! It was really just what I needed, and I'm so thankful that I could spend the weekend with them. :) I feel so refreshed, and overall this whole weekend was so restful and such a great reminder to focus on what is truly important in life. Hope you had a fantastic weekend, as well!

(Oh, and I so agree about hugs from mom and dad!)

~Amber