“I hear the whisperings of many: Terror on every side!”

Jer. 20:10

With all the terror and terrifying things that happen in our world each day in our world, with the fear of terrorist activity, we can easily forget about the one who gives us a refuge that will never be taken away. In the midst of the storms, distress and terrors, we cry out with the psalmist, “Free me from the net they have set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, Lord, faithful God.” (Psalm 31:5-6) In the midst of all the terrors that can grip us, it is so important to believe and see the Lord as our refuge now and forever.

During a storm in the South Atlantic, an old sailing ship lost it’s bearing and ran out of fresh water. Its crew faced death. Catching sight of a ship on the horizon the Captain signaled, “Water! Water! We die of thirst!”

The reply: “Lower your buckets,” seemed to be a cruel mockery. But one of the desperate seamen lowered a bucket and tasted fresh water. The ship had been surrounded by fresh water poured into the sea by the mighty Amazon River whose mouth apparently lay just beyond sight of the small helpless ship. The seamen, dying of thirst, were unaware that they were surrounded by fresh, drinkable water.

This can be an analogy of our own lack of awareness of God even while he saturates us with his presence. God is the Eternally Flowing Mighty Amazon for all of us who face the distress of terror. He is always with us, no matter the storms, offering us safety and refuge forever. Often, just like the old sailing ship, we are unaware that his fresh water is right beneath our nose, offering us refuge as our live are threatened. We do not see his presence even though it is right there.

Be present to Presence. What does this mean and how do we get there? Through faith and seeking we can become more continuously connected to his presence as we uncover the fact that he is in all things. Is there ever a time that God is not present to us? No! We just need to be present to him who is present to us each moment of our existence. And in his presence to us he gives us an offering. He says I will be your refuge from all the real and possible terrors in this life and I will be your refuge forever in heaven. Not a bad deal, huh?

We become present to his presence by praying. Praying allows us to see that God is the Eternally Flowing Mighty Amazon pouring out over all of creation. Prayer teaches us to practice seeing The River washing us in the safety of his refuge in all things, this day and forever.

Let us pray: “Open the eyes of my heart Lord. You are the Eternally Flowing Mighty Amazon. Let me see the infinite refuge you are offering me. In the midst of all the terrors and distress, I turn to you. I call upon you now and always. I want to see you in everything. I believe you will work all for good as I follow you unreservedly. Let me see you washing your safety over me all the time, Lord God.”

God’s will!
+Fr. John