Extreme Joy

Extreme Joy

Monday, September 6, 2010

Tetherball anyone?

The saying goes "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!" Obviously a person must have some sort of control of their situation if they can tie a knot and then hang on. But what if you are a ball attached to the end of the rope, tethered to a pole with no control of your situation at all?

Oh, I wish I could have tied a knot and held on these past couple of weeks. One minute I was peacefully hanging at the end of a rope swaying to the rhythm of life when all the sudden I was hit with a force that sent me flying in circles through the air.

At first I wished I hadn't been tethered at all. That way, the force of the punch could have sent me sailing through the air to an unknown destination leaving the circumstances of the punch well out of sight. It would have been much easier to bear the pain and assess the damage. 

No chance . . . I was tethered -- while circling at such speed I didn't even see the pole until I felt the pain of impact and the tight grip of the cord. Tie a knot and hold on, why I couldn't even move as the situation unfolded around me. Why couldn't I have just flown through the air and away from the pain? Why did I have to be tethered?

Why? Because I am tethered! I am tethered to Jesus Christ . . . the One who will "Never leave me nor forsake me." As I felt the pain and helplessness of the situation, I began to feel the tightness of the wrapped cord as an embrace that kept me stable. As the race of my heart begin to decrease, I realized the pole in which I was I tethered was my anchor. Seriously, where would I have landed if I hadn't been attached to my anchor? What arms would have been there to embrace me through the pain?

Today, by the glory and grace of God I am being unwound at a slow gentle pace as the hurts and disappointments are washed away by the wind of God's Spirit. Soon I will once again be swaying to the rhythms of life THANKFUL that I am tethered to my Saviour and Lord.

And the next time I am hit with life's painful circumstances, . . . I will count it all joy. Because once again I will "wind up" face to face with the ONE who is my tether.


images courtesy of photobucket.com

11 comments:

  1. Such beautiful transparency, Beth. Thank you for sharing. I love the picture of being tethered to our Savior!

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  2. I believe the swaying is already underway, my friend. :)

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  3. Thanks for sharing your heart, Beth. I, too and hanging on...

    Jeanne

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  4. May His face shine upon you today, Beth. Beautifully written analogy.

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  5. Anne Graham Lotz said something like, "When it feels like things are falling apart, they're really just falling into place."

    Praise God He has a plan and we can be confident that He is continually working that plan. Praying for you, sweet friend!
    Vonda

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  6. I can see the JPC (joy,peace,contentment) of the Lord coming through at last through your words! I know when these times come it seems like there will be no end and we want to figure it all out to be able to get out, instead of letting go and letting God handle it all! Thanks for sharing in such a visual way the hope and with God there is always a way out by being faithful and surrendered to Him! Great reminder to all of us that are not currently in these times, to prepare, because they will come! Have a great week!
    Blessings,
    "Simply" Sue

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  7. Hey Sweet Beth...so sorry you've had a rough time! Great post though, so you know God is using the circumstances to encourage others. I love the look of your blog...so cheery just like you. Take care.
    Love ya,
    Bridget

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  8. Beth, day before yesterday I was also hit with devestation and your post brings me such comfort in my situation. I needed the reminder so badly. God has used you to bring the comfort and reminder that He's still in control that desperately needed.

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  9. Thanks for the encouraging comments. Life can come at your hard and fast. God is faithful and there is ALWAYS hope in Christ Jesus. Learning this truth, one heartache at a time.

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  10. Beautiful, just beautiful - and a message I surely needed to hear. Thanks, Beth!

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  11. Hi Beth, I was with you as you flew through the air and then felt the sweet peace of swaying in the Father's arms. Praying for you, my friend.

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