The Peak of Inspiration

Ebb and Flow  –  a recurrent or rhythmical pattern of coming and going or decline and regrowth.

I’ve spent a fair amount of energy through the various stages and phases of my life trying to reach a plane.  Ideally, this plane would trend slightly upward.  Never too steep to exhaust me, but always taking me to a level I have never been to before.  Just a nice, manageable grade.  Slow but strong growth.  Something that would result in a predicable increase.  A few more friends than before.  A little more equity than last year.  An increase in the frequency of victories.  More reward from good decisions, and less regret from bad ones.  The profit and loss sheet of my life showing the results of careful planning, good strategy, dedication, and sound reasoning.  Lessons learned the easy way, without the pain. 

The reality of my life has been quite different.  Valleys and mountains.  Good times and bad.  Debt and abundance.  Mistakes and blessings.  Life and death.  The tide of circumstance taking our belongings out to sea.  That same tide bringing back with it things we don’t deserve. 

I have felt the penitence and burden of Psalm 51, and experienced the joy and gladness of Psalm 95.  I can relate to the despair and fear of Exodus 14, and the relief and victory of Exodus 15.  I have been given the chance to sing for others, and sometimes others have needed to sing for me.  I have smiled at the cradle, and cried at the casket. 

Seldom do we spend much time on a level road.  Seems like we are either climbing or descending.  The sum of our life is trending either positive or negative. 

I wouldn’t say that I’ve given up on reaching that idyllic and predictable existence, but I think I’m beginning to see the value and benefit of the ebb and flow of life.  I think the ebb and flow produces a result that can be found no other way.  I think this process washes us.  It refines us.  We are sifted and cleansed.  We are shown our need, and given the solution.  The changing tide takes what we no longer need, and brings us the things we do. 

So, I resolve to stop looking for a level road.  I resolve to stop looking for a way to coast through life.  I choose to believe that when I am climbing, someone will be there to pull me up.  When I am on the mountaintop, someone will be there to share the view.  When I am descending into the valley, someone will choose to go with me.  And when I am at the bottom, someone will be there to hold my hand.   Wherever I am, I will not be alone. 

The tide will do what tides have always done.  Good times will follow bad.  Grief will follow joy will follow grief. Sometimes it will rain when we want it to, many times it won’t.  We will climb mountains after we descend into valleys. 

And as long as we go together, I’m ok with that.