Waves

Waves, white capped carriers of events, ribbons decorating time, minute by minute, day by day, changing – unchanging - seemingly eternal, is anyone in control? 

One after another, they wash upon the shores of our lives. 

I recently spent some time at Ft. Robinson in Nebraska.  As I looked into the history of that place, I was struck by the changing face of that area – like waves on the shore, changing the story, minute by minute, year by year.

Before 1868, The Great Sioux Nation used Nebraska as a hunting and skirmish ground.  They moved through the area in relative freedom.  But as the white men moved west, things changed.  Land changed hands.  The Native Americans were tricked or forced into giving up the land they called home.

In 1868 this area of Nebraska became a distribution point for goods which were meant to reimburse the Indians for their land and their freedom.  

In 1878 it became Ft Robinson.  1887 brought horses, as the area became a cavalry post.   With the first world war raging, it became a testing ground for military use of the bicycle.  The waves continued, and in 1919 when the war ended, it was the world's largest training, care, and breeding center for army horses and mules.

A gentle wave in 1935 brought the Olympic equestrian team to the fort.

Another Wave – The busiest years at Fort Robinson were those of World War II. With cavalry regiments being dismounted, large numbers of horses were shipped to the remount depot. By 1943 there were 12,000 horses at Fort Robinson. Here the horse herd was gradually decreased.  Pack mule training at the post increased during the war years. By the end of the war nearly 10,000 mules had been trained or issued.

At different times the fort became a war dog training site, a German POW camp, Civilian Conservation Corps camp, regional headquarters, and hospital center.

A wave that seemed it would flatten the fort came in 1948 when it was declared surplice and ended its military use – but not the end of the story. 

In 1949 the fort became a USDA cattle research station and in 1954 a USDA soil conservation training facility. 

And then in 1955 it became the Ft Robinson State Park, where we stayed and played on a 4 day vacation this summer.  As I sat and looked at the old buildings, and looked at the beautiful buttes surrounding the fort, I thought about the people who lived and died there and almost felt as if I were part of their lives too.  I felt that I had been washed by the waves that battered it. 

This area of the country has stood through the waves of change.

Now Let’s talk about the waves that have washed upon your life. 

You were a baby, a child, an adult, maybe now a senior citizen – you’ve lived through moves, marriages, children, illnesses, and death of loved ones.  These events were the waves washing up on the shore of your life.  Sometimes they were gentle and pleasant waves, and sometimes they played havoc with your world. 

But one big thing that we always need to remember about this ocean of life is that someone is in control.  That someone – our Father-Creator, watches the waves. 

Sometimes He changes the course of their flow.  Sometimes He shields us, if the waves would mean destruction.  Sometimes He stands beside us in the sand to make sure the waves don’t wash our feet out from under us.  Sometimes He revels with us in the cool refreshment of gentler waves.  He’s there to help and to guide.  But He’s also there to enjoy the relationship we have with Him. 

Do you ever think about God walking through this life with you – splashing through the waves with you?  Do ever think that He actually enjoys being with you? 

Picture yourself on the seashore; you’re sitting on the sand as the waves come in.  It’s a hot day and the cool ocean brings refreshment.  God is by your side and you’re laughing and talking about the stuff the surf is bringing as it washes over you.  Then picture the waves bringing something that’s not so much fun, that’s even maybe pretty awful.  But you aren’t afraid.  After all, the one who is with you in the waves is the one who made the ocean – there is no need to fear.

  

He made the waves – the waters

Remember Genesis 1:1 in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. – God created the ocean, the waves, and the water.  And he’s hovering over those waters.  Watching out for us.

God can control the waves – the waters.  Mark 4:35 tells us how Jesus calmed the storm.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. . . . .  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”  That’s funny, they were afraid of the storm – but maybe even more terrified at the power that Jesus had over that storm.

Also remember that He is with you in the waves, in your life, on your walk. 

Isaiah 30:31 says

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” 

Because He cares for you, you don’t have to worry about what the waves will bring into your life.

In 1 Peter 5:6-7 we read

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

So as you think about the waves that made the history of Ft Robinson and you think about the waves that have washed up on the shores of your life, changing it – sometimes for the good and sometimes in a more destructive way, remember

He made the waves – He’s the creator.

He can control the waves – He’s all powerful.

He’s with you in the waves – it’s a relationship.

He cares for you – His love is in the waves.