THE WAVES OF TIME

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

PROLOGUE

I remember it well. I was but a small lad. It was hurricane season, and a storm was forming out in the gulf. Our Florida panhandle church had announced the hurricane shelter opening. People would be seeking shelter from all over the area.

Unrealistically speaking, being the pastor’s kid, this was always a fun time for me. The refreshments were a delight; I could pig out on the donuts.

Well, fortunately, for most, and unfortunately for this little PK, the storm failed to develop this time around, and all went back to normal. However, I'd had too many donuts as usual, and my stomach was upset.

Was this memory actually a precursor of my upcoming dream? They say, whomever they may be, that dreams are oftentimes a way our minds deal with our past, our present, or even our future. Sometimes they may even be a safe nighttime isolation of our defensive performance, or a cleansing of our minds. Some I remember vividly; some simply fall by the wayside. I just wish my dreams were not so realistic.

So, here I go again, trapped within my usual dream world, for what it’s worth, maybe not so much for you as for me. It's a parable, a life story with a heavenly meaning. Obviously, it's not so much reality as fiction, remembering yesteryear, forgetting today, and looking towards tomorrow. I have entitled it “The Waves of Time.”

I’m about ready to turn out the light and crawl into bed for the night. Let’s see what’s on the tube for tonight. Not another love triangle movie, I hope. The right ones always kiss at the end, you know.

As I tuned in, it was as if my bedroom television developed a mind of its own and came to life. There I saw a real live commercial jingle of sorts, incorporated into the musical script of beach scenery and related music.

“It’s the wave of time
You in your prime
The deep dark blue
The old and the new
Will surely come true.
It’s the one for you.”

Well, there was a young couple in modern swim suits. But it was not for me, I’m not the beach type. Off to bed I go. Before I could even catch the gist of it all, I was snoozing away as usual in my comfortable bed, covers pulled up tight.

Quickly the screen changed. I was lying there quite comfortably in my bed. However, I was not in my bedroom, but way out on the water. It was the ocean. My bed was bobbing about on a sea of deep blue, its sea animals being tossed about, keeping time with the roaring waves.

There was no end nor land in sight, just the cresting ebb and flow of the waves, splashing against the side of my bed, as they aimlessly rolled by.

'What am I to do?' I pondered restlessly. 'Where am I going? How did I get here?'

Suddenly, apparently as if by some divine movement, the waves turned into time, as they splashed against my bed. It was yesteryear. I remember it well. It was the best of times, those growing up years. The waves seemed to calmly take charge as I remembered back to the good ole days of it all. My memory turned into a picture photo album. I saw the good times with family, Mom and Dad, and all my playmates. My cheerful school years and my many young puppy-loves were put on display. And yet, sad to say, this time didn’t last. All were swept away by the wandering wind and waves.

The storm continued; the waves came forth. It was today. My bed rocked unmercifully as the waves of today’s world splashed against my bedside. It was total chaos. Unfortunately, it was true to form. Unrest was everywhere; in the country, the city, at home, at work, and even in the church.

People were everywhere; uncaring, evil-minded people from all walks of life. Refinement of civilized culture, justice, law and order had disappeared. If only the waves of justice would hold fast, maybe it would wash it all away.

Although I wished as hard as I could, the waves of today continued. No rest was in sight. The evil-generated waves had surely taken over. My bed clothing was dripping wet. 'What am I to do? Am I going to drown in all this chaos?' I wondered.

What then seemed a life time suddenly came to my rescue. The last waves of time off in the distance. The waves of all waves. Real live rogue Tsunamis Sea waves of sorts, roaring swiftly towards my bedside. “What am I to do, I’ll surely drown”, I swiftly pondered? As these waves came roaring in ever so faster and closer, only one message of time was readable.

It was my tomorrow, a much-needed liberation from today’s waves. A well-known Scripture verse appeared through the waves.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Ironically, as if by divine direction, it was the same familiar phrase my school friend scribbled in my high school yearbook and the one I had spoken in my commencement speech.

Suddenly, it was all over as quickly as it started; this strange, watery dream. I was still in my bed, but it was safe in my bedroom. I looked around at my wonderful, peaceful home. I was still in my bed, but ever so comfortable. The bed covering had not been disturbed by all the sea water activity. 'Don’t we serve a wonderful Creator?' I thought, recalling again the Scripture passage I had seen.

In accordance with the rest of my dream, my bedroom television was tuned in to the weather channel. A storm warning was being broadcast; a storm of major importance. Another dream in the making, I presumed. I surely pray not.

As if by divine design, I picked up my Bible from my bedside table. Stuck between the pages was a handwritten note. It was from Mom, with dried tears smearing a bit. Must have been there forever, for Mom had been in glory land many years. Let me share its context.

"When life’s storms become too much to handle, my son, prayerfully rely on encouragement from these selected Bible verses. We all go through hard times; you’re not alone." Then came the Scripture passage.

"Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, for Your steadfast love is good; according to Your abundant mercy, turn to me. Hide not Your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies!" (Psalm 69:14-18)


End of story, prayerfully on my knees. The beginning of service, up off my knees. Amen!

EPILOGUE

Perhaps you have come to the end of this blog uncertain about what life and the future might hold, concerned about life’s waves that may come about in your life. In this modern-day culture it is absolutely paramount that we remain steadfast in the faith. (James 5:7-8)

As the old saying goes, “We know not what the future may hold, but we know who holds the future. (I Corinthians 4:5) You see, I’ve read the back of the book (Bible) and we win in the end. (Revelation 22:20-21)

With this brief closing, I add a prayer of encouragement. “

“In You, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in You; do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in You will ever be put to shame. “ (Psalm 25:1-2)

To this I end with a big shout, Amen!