When I think of floods in terms of faith images, Noah, the ark and animals marching two by two come to mind. Then I remember the promise of God to not destroy this land by floods of rain again; and yet floods still come. They come literally, like Superstorm Sandy, washing ashore and changing many lives.
Although I have witnessed the damages and assisted in rebuilding, I have never been personally impacted by the destruction of natural disaster. I am more experienced with being an emotional being with my heart consumed as I encounter the everyday trials and joys of this crazy human life.
I am a natural at problem solving. In my role at Goshen College, I get to support students through the often challenges of being students. As a friend, I help recast everyday problems as opportunities. And as a wife, I support my husband through his earnest goal of completing his dissertation. Despite my greatest efforts of looking for creative solutions to everyday problems, I have to learn again and again that not every problem can be solved. Sometimes the lack of solution is what God strives to teach me or teach through me. And the floods of emotion return. Emotional floods compounded by my own tendencies to be too hard on myself, to desire perfection when God only expects faithfulness.
As we near the end of this Advent season, how can we invite a new flood to consume us?
… A flood of Grace that heals
… A flood of Mercy that fully embraces human limitations
… A true flood of reversal
Bless you, Sophia, for your all-round supportive help. Help me also with your prayers. “…not to desire perfection when God expects faithfulness.” Beautiful line!
Thank you, Sophia, for your insight. I too have struggled for the 73 years of my life with the misconception that God desires perfection. What a blessing to know that all He wants is my faithfulness, which I can freely give. I am keeping a copy of your devotion to remind myself that only God is perfect and that I cannot be perfect in this life.
Amen! Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom.
Hi Sophia….I’m another in her early 70′s and delighted with your flood of grace, flood of mercy and flood of faithfulness rather than flood of perfection….Thanks!
Good advice, Sophia! Thank you. …… “flood of Grace… flood of Mercy……a true flood of reversal. . .”
Thanks for the inspirational word for caregivers who face seemingly impossible odds and the reality of limited resources. Thanks for helping bring hope in the form of a “flood of Grace, a flood of Mercy and a flood of reversal.”