[revival-fire] Water - One

******* REVIVAL FIRE!!! *******    

In the midst of the flurry of election campaigns, burdened with the stress of these economic times, yet encouraged by the seismic reports coming out of RCSSM, I've been begging the Holy Spirit for a revelation – a word – anything to get back in touch with His presence in my life. So what does He speak to me about? Water. . Water? . . . . And He took me back -

 

It was in early summer of 2006 when I headed out to Yosemite with a couple of friends. We weren't out to do anything strenuous – just take in the sights. We did Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, Curry Village. The second day I wanted to head over to Happy Isles just for old times sake. When I was in my 20's, my then boyfriend (now husband) and I took the hike from Happy Isles to Vernal Falls, and on up to Nevada Falls. The beauty of that site is forever etched into my mind.

 

Here it was, 30 years later, and I came to the base of that trail. Something just drew me up, and I had to make the climb. My friends stayed in the valley while I headed up the path. It was just under a mile to the Vernal Falls Bridge, but it was a steady and fairly steep incline. Not at all a difficult trek, but I quickly found I wasn't in as good a shape as I thought I was.

 

About a half mile into the climb, I was getting short of breath, and my legs were already screaming at me. But there were plenty of boulders to rest on, and I refused to give up. I figured that, at my age, I may never see Vernal Falls again. And unless I spent the rest of my life working out, (not likely) I had already given up on ever seeing Nevada Falls again, which was another 2.5 miles above Vernal. But there was something else drawing me up the mountain – something I just couldn't explain.

 

It took me over 45 minutes, but at last I came across the crest of the trail that takes the slight downhill path to the bridge. I heard the falls before I saw them. I had been hearing all over the park that the runoff was bigger this year than it had been in decades, and that the falls were extremely full. But nothing in my memory or my imagination prepared me for what I saw before me as I approached the bridge.

 

A literal wall of water tumbled and pounded at the bridge. It came from such heights, and covered a breadth so wide, I couldn't possibly estimate the size. The sound was so deafening, that the smattering of people on the bridge couldn't possibly speak over it. As I came close, the spray completely covered me, and my hair and shirt were quickly dampened with the cold shower. There were simply no words to describe the power of the water coming directly at me as I stood in the center of the bridge. For a fleeting moment I thought – This water is HOW strong? This bridge is HOW old?

 

I crossed the bridge to the downhill side and became immediately mesmerized by the sheer velocity of the water rushing away directly below my feet. It was at that moment I just got caught up in the power of the experience. All I could see was the furious white foam of tumbling water. All I could smell was its icy freshness. All I could taste was its purity as droplets ran into my mouth. All I could feel was its cleansing dampness, cooling my body. And all I could hear was its deafening roar.

 

All at once, in my mind I heard the words "DEEP SPEAKS TO DEEP, IN THE ROAR OF YOUR WATERFALLS".  I didn't want to lose this moment. So I turned back to the wall of raging water. Is that your voice God? I just closed my eyes, threw out my arms and worshiped. And I laughed as I worshiped – no one but God could hear me anyway. If this was why He compelled me to make this climb one more time, then it was worth every staggered breath and each aching thigh. I just wanted to stand there forever, with His voice roaring in my ears, and the spray of His water pouring over me.

 

As with so many journeys, I found this was not so much a destination, as it was a launching of a new journey. I began to study water – everything I could find about water – especially what the Word says about water.  And what I found – and what I'm continuing to find - is amazing . . . .

 

Vernal Falls, Yosemite

 

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