Floatin'

With the recent monsoon rains experienced throughout Queensland, we have seen a lot of flooding and swelling of rivers in and around Bundaberg. I was sitting by the river just out of town and noticed many clumps of water lillies jutting out of the fast flowing, murky water. It didnt interest me much until about half an hour later when i realised that these clumps were slowly moving down the river. They were not anchored to the ground, straining to keep their heads above water. They were actually floating and slowly but surely making their way downstream, to be re-planted again somewhere else. I thought that was quite an exciting mission for the little water lillies, having been used to quiet river-side inlets and suddenly thrust into raging waters, to be re-planted downstream where the river deposited them.

And then I noticed that some of the clumps were doing better than others. One little clump I noticed could barely be seen, it was mostly submerged, with just a few leaves above the surface. It would still complete its mission but I imagine it would be a bit worse for wear at the other end. The most succesful clump was a large mass of lillies in the middle of the river. Because there were many lillies sticking together, the buoyancy created lifted them all right out of the water and they were floating effortlessly.

We all have an exciting mission like those little water lillies. God doesnt just want us to stay in our quiet little lives, or our comfortable friendship groups, our successful ministries or even our secure financial situations. When the Spirit moves, He wants us to "let go and let God" and, relying totally on him, be replanted where he wants us. You might feel a tad scared at that prospect, in fact, if its happening to you, you might feel submerged, maybe like you are sinking, but he has a plan, and he knows exactly where he is taking you.

There might be some others you need to pick up on the way, a new colony to start or join, or some new ground to strengthen your roots. If you are willing to go on this journey, there are a couple of things you can do.

Make sure you are growing and have your roots firmly "abiding in the vine" (John 15).
Join together with others for mutual prayer and support (Hebrews 10:24)
And trust God to lead you to where he is working. (Jeremiah 29:11)

In this first month at Bundy I have occasionally felt a tad submerged and thats ok. All I have to do is rely on Him, and with all that praying you guys are doing, Ill be sure to find my place in this new colony, just where He wants me. And Ill be excitedly on the lookout for any seedlings along the way :)

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If anyone remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit." John 15:5

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13