You Raise Me Up

     “You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.  You raise me up to walk on stormy seas. I am strong when I am on your shoulders.  You raise me up to more than I can be.”

      Alan and I chose that song to be sung at our wedding, and I began singing it as I started my devotions.  I thought of how people can raise us up and help us rise above what we think we can do. But they can also push us down. 

When we think of God raising us up, the song becomes more meaningful.  When we rely on Him, we are capable of accomplishing more than we ever thought possible.

      Several friends are going through especially trying times.  As I sang my song and thought about them, this scenario came to my mind.

      I saw a raging storm with one of my friends being sucked under the violent waves after being thrown up and down.  As the turbulent waves crashed over her, she became disoriented.  She kicked furiously and tried to fight her way to the top only to discover she was headed towards the bottom.  Just as she attempted to change directions, another powerful wave slammed into her.  Finally, she was able to break the surface  for a quick breath.  More waves came crashing down. Exhaustion and despair consumed her.  Would the storm ever end?  Was the effort to stay afloat futile? 

     Then He appeared–a light shining brightly in the darkness of the sinister clouds. Her strength was so feeble that she could barely get her fingers above the water.  When He saw her limp hand extended to Him, He knew she was ready to be rescued from the depths.  Jesus reached down and grabbed my friend’s hand. 

He pulled her to the top of the crashing waves. He did not stop the fury of the storm but pulled her where she could rest and examine the storm.  As He placed her into the center of the waiting boat, she felt relief in spite of the turbulence. He even handed her a life jacket so that she would feel more secure as He assured her that she was safe with Him.  When she regained strength, she stood and looked at the monstrous swells. She asked if the tempest would ever end.  He gently urged her to look upward.  A break in the dark, heavy clouds displayed a speck of bright blue sky.

     A gleam of hope reached her heart, and she knew He would remain with her during the storm.  She sat back comfortably and watched Him steer toward the beam of light descending toward the swells.  Gradually, the waves became less intense, and the sky grew lighter.  Peace enveloped her when she realized she was not in control. She drifted off to sleep. 

When she awoke, a dazzling sun hung above the gently, rocking boat. The storm was really over.  When Jesus took her hand to step from the boat, her renewed strength allowed her to grip His hand firmly.  She knew that He was with her in the storms and in the calm.  When she could not clutch His hand, He would clasp her extended limp fingers and pull her up. 

   We only need to reach out.