I don’t want to go on and on about it… but we’ve had a surplus of rain recently. There have been local floods (an inconvenience rather than a disaster) and the ground of Sussex is very soggy.

My photo shows what can happen if prolonged rain or a severe storm hits a mountain. Alpine weather is volatile!

Normally this is a small stream, trickling gently through the rocks. Overnight it changed. A sharp thunderstorm played “night light” music with flashes and booms- the next morning, the stream was a raging torrent. I used a slow exposure time of one-fifth of a second, which has recorded the water as pale veils ripping down the slope; spray “varnished” the rocks so they glistened moistly. The speed and power of the waterfall was quite intimidating (and the noise was high decibel).

How do we cope with the unexpected? It gives new motivation! Sudden and dramatic change, possibly a threat, dealing with the consequences of circumstances beyond our control?

Pretending we aren’t affected is silly. Relying on the time-honoured “stiff upper lip” of English stereotype may soften immediate panic, but doesn’t help us regain control. It also tries to hide vulnerability. Claiming exemption from consequences/suffering through faith may sound spiritual, but has little scriptural support!

Both Old and New Testaments promise that God will be with us:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” – Hebrews 13:5

In the words of Jesus himself: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20

Christian discipleship is about walking in the way of Jesus, seeking to grow closer to Him, and acting out the same kind of actions as Jesus. Even a brief read through the Gospels will show that Jesus did NOT evade the trials and tensions of life. He faced danger and treachery; he confronted the proud and comforted the struggling.

His last hours must have felt like the impact of a terrible storm, yet his love for humanity allowed him to face the Cross, even Death.

One final thing about waterfalls… further downstream, the water will bless many. The fields will be enriched, the thirsty assuaged, and Life will spring from the torrent.

So it is with Jesus: the life taken on a Cross gained Resurrection and became the hope of all the ages and all the world.

God-who-is-with-us stays alongside; Life bubbles up from within. Two final scriptures offer the most wonderful hope in the Universe:

John 7:38-39: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

Revelation 22:1-2: “Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

Living water, the water of Life… the deluge of grace to the thirsty heart & soul. Drink deep!