Peace in Troubled Waters
I can count the number of cruises we’ve taken on one hand – actually, on one finger. In the summer of 2010, my honey and I joined 1,000 of our closest friends and cruised to Alaska.
I’m prone to motion sickness so prior to our trip, I made sure to get a prescription filled for those little patches you place behind your ear to fight nausea. Initially, I wondered if I should’ve skipped the patch because Days One and Two of the cruise were literally smooth sailing.
But Day Three was a different story. The boat was at sea all day, and we woke that morning to the ocean lifting and dropping, rocking and tilting the massive ship.
We did our best to keep our schedule, but some of the planned activities were canceled because the boat’s motion prohibited them. One of the performances was canceled because the star of the show was “indisposed” with seasickness. And he wasn’t the only one. Many a passenger was humbled in the hallways, trying desperately to make it back to their rooms – to no avail.
I decided a nap was a really good idea that day. Fortunately, the rest of the journey was pleasant. Alaska did not disappoint. Absolutely stunning!
Life is hardly an easy day on a cruise ship. There can be days (or weeks or even years) when the waters you’re sailing in are coming at you from every angle. Your vessel is lurching from side to side. The bow rises in front of you and then crashes down hard into the sea. You’re taking on water, and you honestly feel sick with fear and dread. You wonder if you’ll even make it out of the turbulence or instead succumb to the assault of the rough seas.
While I literally sailed through choppy waters on that third day of our cruise, I’ve also figuratively sailed into the wild waves of life at different times. Can you relate? Simply because we exist in a broken, fallen world, we’ve all ended up at the mercy of tumultuous seas at one time or another. But one thing that brings me peace is meditating on a “sea of glass” that the apostle John describes in the book of Revelation.
John is invited by Jesus to enter the throne room of God, and this is what he describes: “At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with Someone sitting on it. And the One Who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal…”- Revelation 4:2-6a.
Even on a calm day at the beach, the seas roll with the rhythm of waves and tides. But in John’s account, there’s absolutely no turbulence, no disturbance, no disruption on the surface of this “clear as crystal” sea. Before the throne of God, it is perfectly still, tranquil, and peaceful.
These days, when I find myself fighting the windblown waves and fearing the water pouring into my boat, I pray to the God Who rules the seas. I trust Him to quiet the wind and the waves – because He is able (Matthew 8:27). I know that the safety and security that I seek are found in His presence, and without fail I find Him faithful to provide what I need. I eagerly anticipate the day that I’ll see that “sea of glass” for myself as I fall down in worship of my good God in His heavenly throne room.
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Father God, we praise You – sovereign God of all things. You rule Your creation, and Your Word says that even the winds and the waves obey You. In Your mercy and kindness, will You calm the turbulence in our hearts? Will You reassure us of Your presence? Will You bring peace and stillness like the heavenly “sea of glass” to our weary souls? We love You, Father, and we rest in You. In the beautiful Name of Jesus, amen.
