October 18, 2010: Wonder of Water

          We went to Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil! It is the Niagra and Victoria Falls of South America in essence.  For the first day of our visit we went on the Argentine side, which holds the majority of the falls (the count of the whole entity, depending on the amount of water from rain, is around 270 waterfalls).
          Upon arriving to the river via safari train, we approached an endless bridge.  It was firm and stable and rose about 6 feet above the rushing water.  Butterflies fluttered all around like flakes of joyful glitter in the air.  The jungle engulfed the whole scene, buzzing with life and activity.  As we approached the first scene of waterfalls, their loud thunderous roars echoed.  The mist rising in the air breathed with anticipation.  The scene slowly unveiled, one gorgeous bit of surface area after the next.  How mighty and strong was the force of the falls!!! The hundreds of gallons of water plummeting over the ledge; my what a fascinating sight!!! Each new scene called for that many more snaps of the camera.  We walked over the falls, suspended in the air by the bridge.
          As we continued our journey a distant lovely little yellow butterfly caught my eye.  Despite the mighty thundering sounds all around, beyond the rushing river and rapids, a silent breeze stirred the butterfly to flutter in my sight.  I reflected on how similar a thing it was when God spoke, not in the mighty earthquake or violent fire, but simply in a soft voice.  How lovely is it to hear the Lord's voice in a peaceful, graceful, gentle entity despite the surrounding noise and chaos.  Pondering, I realized through this, that when we are searching for the Lord, He speaks to us in ways that we do not anticipate or expect until He makes them sparkle in just the right moment to catch our eye. 
          Further in the adventure, we crossed over more and more waterfalls.  When I looked down at the water forcing its way over anything and everything in its path, it reminded me of the Flood.  How great and forceful the water must have been to completely cover the earth! It was strong and commanding.  It demanded attention, God was demanding attention.  Though God speaks in a soft and quiet voice when we are seeking and pressing deeper into Him, sometimes He shakes us upside down and floods our world with water to get us to pay attention to Him and put our focus back where it belongs.  He does what is necessary to get our gaze back on Him.  Though He speaks softly and gently, He can still roar as the rivers rage.  What an AWEsome and fearful Creator we have!

Praise to the Lord - to THE LORD!

For the wholeness of His Word.

In all the ways He speaks

Whether mighty or meek,

It is purified with truth

In correction and rebuke

Or in the still silence.

From demanding obedience

By an all consuming flood,

Clearing away the dirt and mud,

Or by softly speaking

To us independently.

Praise to the Lord - to THE LORD!

For the truth and variety of His Word.

          The mist of the gushing falls thrust marvelous colors into the air! As the water came tumbling down the cliffs, there was a promise strung in the air, a promise that the world would never be fully submerged again.  This promise was smiling at me through a deep reflection in a mirror of mist, the rainbow.  How wonderful a promise I could see and further understand.  When I crossed the raging river, the mist of the waterfalls placed many droplets of water in the air to reflect the vivid figure, of which I saw in a whole circle around my body as a kind of shield or protection.
          What a wonder the water was! What a marvel are the "reflections," which can be seen in such a wonder.  Praise God for His wonderful work: water!