Playing in Creeks, June 15
Written by Karen Tripp
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6 NIV).
Our family plays in creeks. Other families have leisure pastimes like biking or camping or playing softball. My kids have grown up playing in creeks, I played in creeks, and even my dad played in creeks. We have a creek-playing season, and we even have creek shoes. You can’t go out and buy creek shoes; they have to be the too-small pair of tennis shoes from last summer with your toe poking out of the top to really qualify.
So, what do you do in creeks? You can hike in creeks, skip rocks in creeks, and even eat lunch on a log in the middle of the creek. But the real creek-playing enthusiast knows the goal is to build a dam, thus creating a small pool in the middle of the creek. After choosing just the right site, everybody takes the biggest rocks they can carry and dumps them in a row across the water. The first rocks dump to the bottom, and it appears that nothing happens. But as you continue piling rocks, in one small area the water begins to slow down and create a pool. The excitement in the crew mounts, and more rocks find their way to their rightful place. Finally, a lovely pool of water appears behind our completed rock dam.
With time, though, the pool expands until the water can’t be stopped by the rocks anymore. The water pushes the rocks off the top of the dam, first in one spot and then another. That’s when I remember what my father taught me in a creek a long time ago: you can’t stop the water, you can only bend it. The water has to go downstream. It may go around the dam, or through the dam or even over the dam, but somehow it will get to where it’s going.
God’s will is like the water, and your prayers are like the rocks, asking the creek to bend one way and then another. When you pray for specific blessings, you’re placing a rock in God’s will by asking for the desires of your heart. God hungers to fill your every desire as long as His will still flows downstream—toward His reconciliation with His children and the fulfillment of His perfect plans for them.
Putting God’s purpose above your desires takes your relationship with God to a place where trust, faith, and submission are more than just words. Do you really believe that God knows what is best for you? Today’s verse encourages us to do just that.
Sweet friend, believe these three things:
God is more than able to heal your cancer.
God is more than able to protect you through any treatment.
God is more than able to carry you to your heavenly home in His omnipotent, loving arms.
Trust Him. He hears the prayers you speak, the prayers you think, and especially the prayers you only feel. God will always take care of you, His beloved child.
Pray: God, I know You hear my prayers. I know You use all things for my good, and I know that all things are possible through Your Son Jesus. Fill my days with the comfort of knowing You are carrying me in Your loving arms through all things—THROUGH ALL THINGS. Amen.
Your Turn: Take a try at persistent prayer. Select one prayer item that is heavy on your heart today. Pray for this each day for a week. Has it changed the way you feel about the item you are praying for?
Karen Tripp, MS, LMFT, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Executive Director of Cancer Companions, the premiere national Christian cancer ministry (https://www.cancercompanion.org). Her roles have included authoring several Christian books including God is Bigger Than Your Cancer and working as a licensed marriage and family therapist. She is a daughter of a colon cancer survivor. Karen uses her experience to teach how to step into another person’s struggle to help build their faith while strengthening your own.
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
To learn more about our ministry and the services we provide visit our website by clicking here.
