The Deep Channel by S.E. Gill

“A ship of large tonnage is to be brought up the river; now, in one part of the stream there is a sandbank; should someone ask, ‘Why does the captain steer through the deep part of the channel and deviate so much from a straight line?’ His answer would be, “Because I should not get my vessel into harbour at all if I did not keep to the deep channel.’ So, it may be, you would run aground and suffer shipwreck, if your divine Captain did not steer you into the depths of affliction where waves of trouble follow each other in quick succession. Some plants die if they have too much sunshine. It may be that you are planted where you get but little...because only in that situation will you bring forth fruit unto perfection. Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there.” – Charles Spurgeon

It can be so disheartening when things seem to veer off track. Whether it just affects you, if it affects your loved ones or if you are troubled by the darkness we see in our world.

It is likely we all have or will have challenges in different seasons of our lives. I am certainly no exception. Spurgeon’s analogy reminds me to be still and to trust that God’s plans are always better than my plans. It is so simple but so breathtaking once we start to understand it.

“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10

Another illustration of this is that if you are a passenger on a train that is going through a dark tunnel, you don’t try to get off the train because you can’t see the way ahead. You trust the driver.

Not worrying while we are experiencing internal and/or external chaos is possible with God’s help. In order to achieve this we have to make a conscious decision to focus on loving God and loving all the people around you... not just the ones that are easy to love but also those that are not so easy to love. I am still working on this. I find it does get easier when you keep your mind on God, His Word and being obedient.

God has given us all gifts and we need to use those gifts to show kindness to others. Then they may see something of His love in the light that shines in us. I believe that is why He gave us the gifts in the first place. We can’t out give God.

So as we transition into the New Year may we all accept that peace that has so lovingly been given to us by Jesus Christ.

“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] – John 14:27 Amplified Bible

The good news is that, whatever the issue is, we do not need to be anxious. God is very much in control. When I think about this, I feel His peace in me.



Twitter @SEGillwriter