Out of the Miry Clay!

Most people would tell you that I am not the adventurous kind. Even as a kid, I could not wrap my mind around the idea of getting on a ride to get a thrill. The only thing I got from those rides was “scared” and sick. Fun? No! Mind you, I am not proud of that fact because I would have loved to have fun being scared but I didn’t have it in me. I would venture to say there is not one daring bone in my body and if there ever was it is well hidden in the ever-accumulating fat that I carry these days. I do recall a time when I was a “dare devil”. I know, that is not at all like me but I must share this story with you. When Larry and I were younger we used to go canoeing on the Current River. I actually loved it though it could get a bit scary if someone stood up and rocked the little canoe. I enjoyed the scenery and usually had others from our group to enjoy the ride with us. On one of our trips we came upon a cave that housed a spring of water that fed the river. Several of us went in to take a look and a few even jumped into the water. It was a welcome change from the sultry hot day on the river. Suddenly something came over me! I decided to jump in! Wow, the crazy woman in me came out and I made the plunge. I quickly became aware of the temperature of the water, it was so cold that it took my breath and I know my heart stopped. My life passed before my eyes and my first thought was “Why”? Why had I strayed from my life long path of cautiousness and sensibility? Why had I not at least started small like a ride on a Ferris wheel or even a Roller Coaster. It seemed I was under the water forever and when my head came up all I could see was not concerned spectators but laughing fools! If you can imagine, huge nostrils, big exaggerated smiling mouths and the hideous sound of horrible, jerring, laughter that‘s where I was. I think my brain had frozen and I struggled to awake from this horrible nightmare! Before I could say a word I slid on the slimy bottom and again went into the icy abyss! Again I tried, only to see the same audience that was clearly having fun at my expense. I raised my hand to let someone know I was in trouble, only to slip again. My thoughts then went to the idea that I was going to die as I time after time slipped on the slimy edges of the pit. I knew that unless one of those gawkers got the clue that I was going down for the third time I would die there in that slimy pit. Finally I felt a big hand of my husband reach for me and I was able to get to a firm place so that I could stand again. Between lots of giggles, I got apologies for not recognizing the fact that I could not get out. How could they know that I could drown in four feet of water? I have told this story many times and have giggled as well at my one daring incident and my "rescue" from the pit.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:1-3

Have you ever been in the slime and mud? I know I have been. Sometimes that can mean you have sin in your life and you have to ask and trust God to pull you out of the miry clay that keeps you in the pit. The Bible says he is faithful to forgive you of your sins and free you from them. Other times we can be in a spiritual rut and need to be rescued from the dark pit that you have found yourself. There are times that even those closest to us do not see the difficulty we are in because we are too embarrassed to tell anyone of our struggles. I have spent time in that place and as I struggled to get out on my own it was futile. All of the will power or determination could not help me. As I struggled to get my feet on solid ground, I would slide backwards, even more discouraged than before. Only when I was desperate enough to hold out my hand to the only one strong enough to pull me out did I feel solid ground beneath my feet. He set me on the rock of his salvation and again I could walk with Him. Are you struggling alone? He is waiting to give you his hand!

Well, since that day I avoid all pretense of being a dare devil, I am very content to say “NO” to daring and “YES” to cautiousness (or cowardliness)! Being a “chicken” becomes me and I am sticking with it.