Swept Away
The pack was heavy, but as each warm sunny day had passed, one had got used to it always being there, as it was always there, well until one set up camp for the night, many steps had passed, and the cozy cabin was getting closer with each step. The build had started a fair while ago, it was now weathertight, and with basic amenities, and this trip should make it very homely, just needed to journey on. With one more river to cross, he wadded in, carefully scanning the river bed for things to avoid, the current was strong, but with a very heavy pack, not too scary. Nearing the middle, and approaching the main channel, he stepped upon a solid looking rock, which immediately flipped under his boot, tossing him into the strong current. While struggling under the load, precious seconds passed, and into the rapids he was swept, swirling and spinning, but the pack protected his back and sort of floated him, acting more like a boat keel, keeping his face above the water, he could breathe air and bits of spray constantly splattered his face.
Down the ravine and gorge he was swept, sheer cliffs on both sides, on and on he floated and swirled, until the gorge opened a bit, the river turned a little and the rapid current slowed as the river widened, and he managed to gain solid footing and to then clamber out soaking wet onto a small beach. Dragging his heavy pack up the beach to a flat piece of ground, warmth and dry clothes was critical, so out came the saw and the axe, and from the plentiful supply of dry driftwood, a roaring fire was soon going, warming and cheering, dry clothes on, a hot cup in hand, smoke lazily drifting down the river, along with wisps of steam from his drying cloths strung out on a line. Tent pitched, camp set up, area surveyed, he was fine, a spring just there provided ample fresh water, and the slope back up from the river, though quite steep, was just climbable, with trees and vines to enable him to escape, but that was for tomorrow. A restful sleep, a good hearty breakfast, break camp, pack everything away, drench the fire, no point in making more disasters to chase you down, so up and up the climb went, and by mid-day, he was out of the ravine and upon a roadway sized shelf, on a safe footing at the top of the cliff, the mountain still towering above, with the ravine just there and way down below the river raging and roaring up at him, just stay away from the edge and all will be well. As he back tracked high above the river, he drew closer and closer to the point where the disastrous crossing of the other day had occurred, but as now he was far up above the river, that crossing was now way down there below him, for currently, he was much higher up the mountain, and much closer to the last pass he needed to cross, thus to enabling him to be able to cross out of this valley into the next.
Another hour or so, and there he sat at the summit for a breather, way down there before him was his lake, and there at the end was his cabin, just visible, looking most inviting and homely. He hoisted his heavy pack onto his tired shoulders, and headed down hill, the trail was clear and the slope acceptable to make good timing, relaxing easy travel, just let the legs swing easily, and the finish line was getting closer with each stride. By later-afternoon, the heavy pack was deposited by the door, which was happily opened, a fresh armful of carefully stored firewood was scooped up, the fire was lit, kettle was soon boiling, the bed was made, and a sting of nearly dry clothes were strung out, now drying nicely, we have arrived, settled, now time to relax, enjoy the view through the open door, the fresh breeze blew in, and from his chair he could listen to the sigh of the breeze in the trees, and nature sounds of birds and bees close by, the lapping of the lake, and the creatures beyond, he was now safe, secure and comfortable, warm, and safely at journeys end.
How often we get caught in situations like our traveler, everything seems to be going so well, and then, out of nowhere, you slip, or trip, a speeding car crashes into you sending you spinning, airbags go off, metal crunches, glass breaks, dust settles and then the total silence. Life can go along fine and swimmingly, then the phone rings, your Doctor has disastrous news for you, there is bad news from somebody you care about deeply, a Pandemic sweeps into town, a Bush Fire, a Flood, Landslide, Lava flow, all those unwanted things that sweep in through, trying to sweep away your life and possessions, and sometimes changing life and everything forever. Matthew 7:24-27 tells the story of two house builders, both later faced the same disaster, one was swept away, and one survived, and this house was suffering only minimal damage, a quick clean, and back to work. What is currently trying to “Sweep Away” your confidence, your belongings, friends, family, your Faith and Trust in God, we all have something tapping on our door, as was once said; “You are either going into a crisis, you are already in a crisis, or you are coming out of a crisis.” What is confronting you, trying to “Sweep Away” precious things? So what are you currently wading through that is threatening to “Sweep you Away,” and into??? Have you been storing up problems, things, stuff, that is like snow on a mountainside, all is well, until it becomes a roaring avalanche to sweep you away, burying you deep down under meters of disaster, there for you to ultimately perish. Revelation 12:15 “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.” Satan is so keen to “Trip you Up,” to get you caught up in the “Current of Sin,” to dash you on “The Rocks of Disaster,” to sweep you away down “The Rapids of Despondency,” to sweep you away in the tide of evil and sin, to wash you away and to destroy you. But God has a way out, he will “Buoy you up,” the arms of the Almighty will bear you up, God will be with you, right there holding you, just trust in God and cast yourselves into the arms of the Almighty, he will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Psalm 91:10-12 “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Hebrews 13:5b “[and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” What has you “Swept Away?” Is it “Sin” or “Salvation?” Has your “Past,” stored up for you an avalanche, which will someday have you “Swept Away?” Always be “Swept Away,” by the “Love of God” in Christ Jesus our Lord.
