Sea Monsters & Peace Like a River

Nils, Brina & Quoia tubing on the river a couple of days before Baby Shepherd was born!

You will keep the mind that is dependent on you

in perfect peace,

for it is trusting in you.

Isaiah 26:3 CSB

I’ve returned to this verse every day for the past week. It is anchoring me. Specifically it is reminding my MIND of what it needs to do. And lately, my mind has needed reminding. Because it’s been a wild thing—chasing the winds of stress and distraction, decision-making and obsession. This move from the lake to the river—from “up north” to the suburbs—has been so very good, and so very exhausting, all at the same time. 

Sunday we attended our son’s church instead of our own, because Grant was preaching. He’s a worship pastor, and occasionally he takes the pulpit, so to speak. His topic was WONDER which is so totally Grant. My firstborn son has been riding on the wings of Holy Spirit wonder since he was a teen. Grant says humans are naturally inclined to look for clear solutions and logical answers—knowledge, clarity and certainty being the gods of our day. But wonder leads us to curiosity and mystery, worship and awe. 

Of course, Grant quoted Isaiah 26:3. I mean, why wouldn’t God give my son the very verse his mama has been rehearsing in her mind, day and night?! The words she’s memorized in her own translation, preached now in familiar text…

You will keep in perfect peace

    those whose minds are steadfast,

    because they trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

Grant says the word “mind” is the Hebrew “yetser” and it’s really the imagination. He says humans tend to let their imaginations drift toward familiar things, things we’ve rehearsed and practiced—often offense and obsession. But my son tells me it’s possible to train the imagination toward better things—awe and wonder, beauty and goodness. 

Which is exactly what I needed to hear. 

Because here’s the thing. Lately I have been rehearsing a lot of unhelpful stuff. I blame the move, but it’s my own fault, too. When I am overwhelmed, stress can lead down a path of worry and fear. And fear has never been my friend. I was an extremely fearful child, with a vivid imagination. Seriously. I’d lay in bed at night worry-praying through a whole list of fears:

tornados

fires

bears 

bad guys 

drowning 

Especially drowning. (Ironic isn’t it?)

So fear. Yes. Here’s the thing. For most of my adult life I’ve been free of it. Miraculous Holy Spirit freedom from something that was born in my bones. And then, about a decade ago (right around the time I hit menopause…I know, TMI…) tentacles of fear began to creep back. Like a sly sea monster, if you will. At first it was subtle, but gradually fear’s presence has become quite obvious to those who know me best. My husband. My sons. Their wives. Maybe even a savvy grandchild or two. 

I’ve been asking for prayer and confessing my need for wholistic release from the beast. 

On that day the Lord with his relentless, large, strong sword will bring judgment on Leviathan, the fleeing serpent—Leviathan, the twisting serpent. He will slay the monster that is in the sea. (Isaiah 27:1 CSB) 

Yes Jesus, let it be. 

I believe in Perfect Peace. Shalom. Wholistic well-being, body, mind and soul. 

I believe God is good and faithful. I can trust Him. I DO trust Him. 

And I choose to train my imagination in the ways of the biblical authors. The ways of the prophets. 

Isaiah, who saw the wonders of—

…the Spirit being poured out, turning deserts into orchards and orchards into forests. Justice inhabiting the wilderness and righteousness dwelling in gardens…

The result of righteousness will be peace;

the effect of righteousness

will be quiet confidence forever.

Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place…

Happy. 

Sowing seed beside beside abundant river waters. 

Safe and secure. 

(From Isaiah 32:15-20) 

Father. Jesus. Holy Spirit. My mind and imagination are dependent on You.