Notes

My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:6-8

Growing up in SW Florida, the beach was my second home. As a kid, I would often venture there with friends to swim for hours in the warm Gulf water.

I’ll never forget one particular day. After hours of boogie-boarding, wave-jumping, and ingesting my fair share of saltwater, I was getting tired, so I paddled over to calmer waters, popped my feet up, and floated to rest my tired body.

It wasn’t until I lifted my head that I realized I’d gotten caught in a rip current whisking me out to sea. I quickly started swimming toward the beach, but no matter how hard I swam, I kept drifting further out. I stopped swimming and started to panic as I began to lose hope of getting back to land. It was at that moment that I remembered the warning my parents made me rehearse a thousand times “If you ever get caught in a rip current, don’t fight it, don’t give into it - swim parallel to the shore until you’re safe.” So, I set my eyes on the shoreline and swam as hard as I could parallel to the beach until I broke free from the current.

Difficult seasons of life can feel like getting caught a rip current. Out of nowhere, something propels us into unfriendly waters – a lost job, a scary diagnosis, loss of a loved one, betrayal by a trusted friend. As we fight against these unwanted experiences, we often end up drowning in our fears and emotions rather than speaking truth that leads us back to solid ground.

“When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of you” Psalm 42:6 (MSG)

When the waves of life threaten to consume you or you feel like you’re drifting alone in a sea of sorrow - rehearse everything you know to be true about your Rescuer! Remember his life-saving words. Sing songs of His faithfulness day and night! HE is your greatest ground for hope!

Missy VIlla
DIrector of Campus Experience