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Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust IS the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8
The uninhabited vast landscape of the bay is before me and as the sun shines brilliantly upon us we commence our journey across this barren bay leading up to the ancient masterpiece of Mont St. Michel. This beautiful token of history was built in 708….a whopping 1,303 years ago. and still stands, a strong, beautiful, fortified, mount.
Following our faithful guide, Bert, the 4 mile trek was worry free. This barren field of sand houses some fine French plants that are harvested for eating and are also fed to sheep to attain a sweeter tasting cheese- you know cheese is their thing. But as we went along, we would stop and Bert always would intend on me being the taste tester. As i tasted the saltiness of the bay plants, little did i recall the spiritual context i’ve known for years.
So often do i trust in man. So often do i rely on flesh, on acceptance, on popularity, on friends, on… what have you, as my strength.
Why would i ever waste time being parched on salty shrubs when i can simply plant my roots in a river of life. Why is it so hard for me to simply trust the LORD and not just say that I do, or think that I do but really trust that HE is my strength, and in the year of the drought, in my times of loneliness my times of hurt…He is what can give me life and meaning and joy.
…which leads me to the fact that some of the obstacles we had to overcome in order to reach the Mount included streams, ponds, but more importantly quick sand. As people sank in the sand it was fun for them at first, exciting, funny…then there was a point in which they panicked, and sinking is only fun until the sand is threatening and you know you need help to escape.
There is no escaping the quick sand without help. Bert let them have their fun, but knew just when to step in and to take them by the hand and lift them from their attachment to the earth. Not only did he free them from the sand, but afterward he showed them to the river, where those who were covered with the filth and grime leftover could wash themselves clean.
“In Christ the solid rock i stand all other ground is sinking sand”
