So, we have the dividing of the waters with Moses, Joshua, Elijah and Elisha. That dividing is always God’s work, but completed through human hands. For Moses and Joshua it was a part of taking a people out of slavery into their time of formation, and out of that time into the promised land. For Elijah and Elisha it was about a more individual encounter with God. For one, his time of departure from this world to another. For the other, his time of transformation from a man servant to a God servant. I wonder what you make of these water crossing events? What metaphorical meaning might they have for the momentous transitions in your own life where the waters parted and you were able to cross to another place on dry ground?
What if we add the water crossing events recorded in the gospel accounts? In them there was no parting of the waters, but the presence of the Christ who had authority over the waters, indeed, who could transform their threatening chaos into a blessed calm and bring all who were with him to the place where they were going. How much is that like the Spirit of God wafting over the waters of creation? Maybe there are times when all we can do is yell out, “Hey God, can’t you see what’s happening here; my boat’s about to sink.” Maybe there are times when we even dare to climb out and take a step or two on the water before being pulled to safety by God’s outstretched hand.
Tell me more about water crossing events.
In college I made a little 12-stones memorial to symbolize the one Joshua made after crossing the Jordan. Mine sat on my desk for a long time to remind me of God\’s presence in times of transition. It\’s gone now, but it served me well for a time.Peace to you today.
One of the most moving and poignant crossings of water is one that did not take place: Where Moses is led up to Mount Nebo by the LORD, who shows him all the Promised Land, but tells him, \”You shall not go over there.\” Then Moses dies,never having touched the land his people would inherit. Dr. King made memorable use of this story in his famous speech, \”I have been to the mountain, and I have seen the Promised Land.\” And prophetically, \”I may not go there with you.\” And the bullet cut him down, to fulfill the prophecy. Dr.B
Dr. B, It might be a little too personal to ask what water crossings you have been denied, but your comment did get me thinking about some of mine. The odd thing is that most, maybe all, of them were crossings that I should not have made anyway, and in hindsight am glad I didn\’t. But they were huge disappointments at the time. CP
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Yes, and your question leads me to rather profound soul-searching for both sidea of it, both when I was prevented from doing (or saying!) something that I should not have done, even if I wanted to, and the opposite, when I was not prevented, but should have been! But one thing comes to mind: I was about to enter Seminary (the one where I was teaching New Testament Greek, and had been admitted), but unexpectedly received a scholarship to continue my studies for the doctorate, and chose that path instead. Maybe that was a divine intervention, as I realized later that I was not spiritually mature enough at that time, and it would been a wrong choice to seek ordination. (And maybe God was protecting His Church also! I wish that He had done so in some other cases I can think of!) Dr B
sSorry about the accidental duplication! Dr B
Hey Dr. B.I deleted your duplicate comment. How about that?CPBy the way, you were prevented from going on to seminary and became a scholar instead. I was prevented from becoming a big time lobbyist/consultant and became a priest instead.