Wayne Weekly “Over Your Head…”

Have you ever felt like things you’re dealing with in life are just “over your head”? Of course you have, most likely anyway.

This past July 4 holiday my family and I took to a 4 day camping adventure. Even though Fair Haven State Park has been frequented by the Taylor family many times before…it’s still an adventure full of new twists and turns.

Fair Haven on Lake Ontario has had its share of high water level troubles this spring and summer. Many cottages and homes along the shoreline had fought the swelling “tide” this spring with sandbags. The state park beach became flooded, the depth of the channel that leads to a large pond engulfed the diving board fixtures. The aftermath is a smaller sandy beach, and deeper waters off the shore. Actually if I venture out to the buoy ropes, in some spots I’m in over my head. As far back as I remember, the water level was only chest high on me, so you can measure the difference.

The deeper water was welcomed by my daughters. The swimming lessons that Evie and I required of the girls were successful in giving Jill and Janelle reasonable courage and good aquatic ability. I am not a super strong swimmer, so hanging out beyond my neck is not something that can make my day. Actually I have had a few close calls, particularly as a teenager foolishly diving from a boat into Owasco Lake in the early spring. The deep water was so cold I could not catch my breath. My strength was quickly subsiding, and the boat was drifting farther and farther away. My older brother did not sense the dangerous situation…but his buddy did. He was a strong swimmer so he instinctively jumped into the cold water, swam to me and dragged me to safety. He saved my life, I’m sure of that.

Sometimes we dive into the deep, cold waters of life. Whether our motives are tainted or not, whether the purposes are upright or sinful, whether our intentions good or fouled, we can get swallowed up and begin to sink.

God’s Word tells us that the Lord “rescues”. He delivers. He saves. We find scores of verses in Scripture that address the issue of rescue. Here are just a few touching on varies life circumstances:

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

I Corinthians 10:13

“But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness, Answer me with Your saving truth. Deliver me from the mire and do not let me sink; May I be delivered from my foes and from the deep waters.”

Psalm 69:13-14

“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.”

Psalm 107:19

“Stretch forth Your hand from on high; Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, Out of the hand of aliens,”

Psalm 144:7

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son…”

Colossians 1:13

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.”

Psalm 34:4

Regardless of why you might be “over your head”, God provides a promise of rescue to those who belong to Him. Though the means of the rescue may take us through chilly, deep waters, His plans are not thwarted.

“Help!”…your cry is heard.