By Published On: December 17, 2024

George Washington Carver said: “I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.”

A few weeks ago I had a lovely time snorkeling in a rock pool.  As I walked back to my towel,  I suddenly noticed that my snorkel’s mouthpiece was missing.  My search was complicated by the fact that the mouthpiece section was made from translucent plastic.  Needless to say, I couldn’t find it.  Driving home I pondered the strange turn of events.  This has never happened before.

Many of you have experiened situations where God speaks to you through everyday tasks or through nature, as the quote above so eloquently expressed.  I sensed the Lord talking to me about using my snorkel time as an analogy.  When the mask is over your face and your ears are under the water, the outside world grows quiet.  The visual senses are magnified and enhanced.  You steadily control your breathing, making sure the tube portion pokes above the water’s surface.  Then a  whole new world emerges and it is a delightful experience.

This is a simplistic story, uncomplicated, even childlike.  It takes us back to basics.

Like wearing the mask, focus on reading your Bible daily.  Let the outside world grow quiet as you absorb what the Lord wants to show you and teach you.  Yeshua is now the centre of your undivided attention.  Fix your gaze upon Him.  Look only to your Lord and Saviour so that you do not miss what He wants to show you.

Connecting the snorkel mouthpiece to the tube allows for the vital exchange of fresh air so that one can enjoy a carefree snorkel session.  In this analogy the breathing is synonymous with the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit.  For the Spirit gives life!

I thought I could buy a mouthpiece separately, but it turns out that a snorkel and mouthpiece is sold as a single unit.  This is where I feel the true message lies.  We cannot live a life separate from the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  We should be led by the Spirit so that it is His Words and His way, in everything that we do and say.  His “Breath” over our lips to the Glory of God.

When you snorkel one piece cannot go missing, otherwise the activity is fruitless.  This is the same for your walk of faith.  We need the Word and the Holy Spirit to guide, help and teach us.  Together there is balance.  Not just the one or the other, but both.  The Holy Spirit gives revelation and it is like the song that says:”I can see clearly now.”  With the Spirit’s help, one has those amazing a-ha moments where the Scripture reading suddenly makes sense.  It is like shining a spotlight on the words.  Together with the Ruach and the Truth, we continue on our faith journey.  John 4:24 “God is Spirit and His worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

This is the Hebrew year known as 5785.  The 85 = 80+5 where 80 = Peh, (פ) which is a picture of a mouth or opening.  This is the decade of the Peh.  The 5 = Hei (ה), which is a picture of breath, air, exhalation of breath or movement of air.  Even in these two pictographs we can see the connection.

How do we then speak?  What is our choice of words?  Are we encouraging each other with life-giving words, or causing hurt and pain when we open our mouths?  Just as the snorkel supplied life-giving air to me as my face was in the water, may we speak life-giving words when we face each other.

Prov. 18:21: “The tongue has the power of life and death and those who love it will eat its fruit.”  Matt. 12:36-37 “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned.”

May we be worthy “mouthpieces” during this holiday season.

Jeremiah 1:9 “Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me; ‘now I have put My words in your mouth.’”  We have the Holy Spirit to help us and we have the Life-giving Word to teach us, so that we don’t have a “missing link.”

Enjoy your quality family holiday time!

RFGR

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