Jimmy and I had been planning a trip to New England. When talking with friends, we realized their trip to New England and ours would overlap by one day. It was decided we would spend that day together exploring Martha’s Vineyard. Excitedly, our ferry reservations were made!
When the day arrived, from each of our different locations, we caught our ferry transports and met in the harbor at Martha’s Vineyard. We jumped into our rental jeep and took off to explore the island!
Our first destination was Aquinnah. We were interested in seeing the cliffs and the overlook above the sea. It did not disappoint and the view was spectacular!
While we were enthralled by its beauty, Jeff exclaimed, “There is a seal!” He had spotted a seal occasionally popping up on the surface of the water. He steered our gazes in the right direction and soon Cindie said, “Yes! I just saw him too!” Another minute passed and Jimmy said, “Yep! I see him too!” My eyes continued to scan the surface, but the seal remained elusive to me.
Jimmy and Jeff wandered away to another viewpoint while Cindie and I stayed rooted in place. She asked me if I had spotted the seal yet, but I had not. She moved to stand just by my left shoulder as she guided my sight. She patiently and determinedly instructed me just where to look…..”He should be just between 11 and 12 o’clock for you, focus steadily on that area…..don’t look too far, look in the lighter water, he is closer than you think…..he will look like a flash of light as his skin comes out of the dark and is hit by the sunlight…..” A few minutes passed…..and then…..”YES!”, I cried with both arms up in the air, “I see him! He is right there!” Cindie cheered also and we celebrated our triumph!
Just as we turned to leave, a man approached the overlook with his camera around his neck. “What are we so excited to see?” We chuckled and told him it was a seal. My sweet friend began to explain to him just where to look.
Later, when I was looking at our pictures from the beautiful overlook, the parallels struck me. Our search for the seal was so much like our search for God during difficult times.
Often during our struggles, we are searching and searching, thinking God is being elusive when, in fact, He is there the entire time. Sometimes it takes a reliable friend at our shoulder to remind us and guide us through…..we need to remember to focus steadily on Him…..He is always nearer than we think…..He shines as a light in the dark…..And then, once we focus and fix our eyes on Him…..”Yes!” And with arms up in the air, “He is right here! He has been here all along!”
My friends, as the world seems to be everchanging…..with all the uncertainty around us…..seemingly out of control….. Stay focused and keep your eyes on Him! He is never changing…..He is certain…..He is in control. This, with your arms up in the air, is worthy of celebration!
Psalm 16:8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord
1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all
Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth
Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all
