Fountains of Life

Tension and Release

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By Cyndi

I love playing music, it brings me such joy. Especially playing in a group, where each person brings their own creativity into the mix. For me, one of the coolest things about music is its emotionality — the ability to swell with emotions, rising and falling.

This “emotionalism” (I will call it) is really just building tension musically and releasing it. Every type of music has it. From Aerosmith’s Dream On with Steven Tyler screaming those words over and over intensifying until finally hitting the chorus, to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony’s intro with “Da-Da-Da-Daaaa/ Da-Da-Da-Daaaa,” you can feel the tension grow then mellow out. Even the hymn, Amazing Grace, has a wonderful marriage of words-to-melody in this mounting up/relaxing down with the phrasing: “I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind, but now I see” — a delicate lifting, then gently settling down. This development of tension and release is one of the keys to good music.

And it’s also a key with life. There are times in our life where things are tensing up — stress, maybe fears, those things that get our adrenaline pumping up — which can be exciting, with a period of rising, amping up.  But it eventually we must let loose of all that tension and return to a time of peace and stability. (Ps. 46:10)

During our worship band rehearsal the other night this concept was pointed out by our sound man. Sometimes we have a propensity to “overplay,” or play as loud and strong as you can. We were excited. It was a great song and we were so spiritually heightened we just wanted to slam it with all our hearts! This exemplifies staying on the building/tension side of the swell the whole time; climbing up and up the mountain but never reaching the summit. Pushing hard. That’s not really very musical, nor sustainable. And that’s not life either. 

Life cannot stay intense and full-bore all the time. If we do, we’ll probably have high blood pressure or a heart attack. Times of rest and relaxation are much needed to balance things out. (Matt. 11:28, 29) We eventually have to round the summit of the mountain and come back down the other side. Weekends with family, vacations, or simply quiet times help us keep the “music” of our lives enjoyable. There’s work and there’s play. Both are necessary.

I believe if we think of our lives like a song it could help us. There are verses, choruses, and bridges (which are neither the verse nor chorus but add a little something extra just because!). Each section has its timing, its part and purpose in the whole song. Sometimes there’s a rising, other times there’s a releasing. 

So as the music of our lives play, I hope we can intensify when we need to — press in and “build,” — yet also surrender and refrain when it’s time to do that too. Personally, I want to play invigorating yet sweet encouraging music with my Heavenly Father — the kind that others would want to listen to and enjoy. (Eph. 5:19) Let the music play.

What a Difference a Day Makes

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By Cyndi

As I walked out the path to check the surf, everyone I passed said the same thing: What a difference a day makes.

Yesterday was awesome! There were clean waves from a swell, clear green water, only a slight wind, and I had so much fun surfing! Today the wind is howling from a Nor’easter, the waves are chopped up into whitecaps, and it doesn’t look like fun at all. The drift alone frightened me just to look at it.

But that’s how life is sometimes. No matter how much we check the swell predictions, look at the tides, and review the Windy app, it can all change overnight. A couple of months ago life was going on as normal when all of a sudden a pandemic hits us, schools close, and we are asked to stay at home to work. 

What a difference a day makes.

Many have lost jobs and money, classes are only being taught online, and children are being birthed in hospitals without a family around them. Treatments stopped, weddings were canceled — things changed. Funny (not funny), now it’s actually the bank tellers that are wearing the masks, not robbers! So what is our part? How are we supposed to be responding to all of this?

God tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that there’s a season for everything. This whole chapter is an interesting read particularly for this season we’re in now, especially dwelling on verse 11: “He has made everything beautiful in His time.” Just wait.

Things change. It’s part of life. We move forward. 

Moving forward is the goal. Growing, developing, maturing in God’s love. As much as I’d love to go back to being a 12-year-old and begin learning to surf at that age instead of someone in their 50s trying to, I can’t. Life moves on. We can’t go back; don’t regress — pro-gress!

Prov. 3:5 reminds us not lean to our own understanding but to trust in the Lord, and to trust with all our might. In other words, we’re not going to figure this out, so just ride the wave and trust in our Father’s love. 

What a difference a day makes.

Keep moving forward, my friend. Take time to mourn, to grieve, to laugh, to play. We don’t know what our next day is going to look like or where we’ll be, but we do know that God has promised to take care of us (Luke 12: 24-32). 

There is a season for everything. Trust Him, fellow sheep. It is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom. It’s our choice what to do with it. Life can change fast. Breathe deeply. Take it day by day. And who knows? Maybe they’ll be better waves tomorrow. 

On the Side of the Road

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By Cyndi

A little wildflower on the side of the road,

Does anyone see it, does anyone know?

It lives in the sunshine and breathes in fresh air, 

But does anyone see it, does anyone care?

Ever felt like a little flower on the side of the road? Cars and trucks drive past you every day concerned only about their job and destination. Joggers jog and walkers walk past you with bluetooth earphones on or faces glued to a touch screen chatting away.

Sometimes in life we feel lonely. Alone. No one to care for us and no one who seems to care.

Jesus felt alone too when He was on the cross. It’s recorded both in Matthew’s and Luke’s books: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  And if I may be so bold to look into His human side for a bit, I think there were times when, even though He was with His disciples, He probably felt very alone and misunderstood. 

One of the best things about wildflowers is that they are usually NOT alone; they naturally grow in groups or clusters. Think about it. When you look on the side of the road, if you see wildflowers,
there’s usually more than one. Many times there’s a whole color palette of them — purple, yellow, white, orange!  My dear reader, can you not see the spiritual significance of this?!

We are never alone! Yes, it may feel like it sometimes — Jesus did— but the truth is that God will never leave us nor forsake us. (Heb.13:5) And I believe Father sees every single wildflower on the side of the road, each one with its unique colors and tints, each one totally different than the one next to it. Yet there are masses of us blooming beside one another! We are distinctively collective.  

It may be hard for you to see yourself as a flower (especially you guys) but God sees you as His Beautiful Creation. Beautiful as an individual stem, and beautiful as a bunch on the side of the road. 

Now to answer my wildflower poem from the introduction of this article — Yes, He does! 

Yes, He sees you! Yes, He knows! And yes, He cares! You are not alone! We may feel disconnected at times, but remember — we have brothers and sisters who are also bunched up with us on this palette of life together, all of us being held by a loving Master Creator. Rest in the sunshine and fresh air from the Father, my friend. Breathe it in and soak in it. You are never alone. 

 

(photos taken off of Wonderwood Dr.)

Refocus

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By Cyndi

I remember when this year began many people were speaking words like, “This is gonna be a year of vision,” or “This will be a year where our vision gets clearer.” And, yes, having the numerical date of 2020, that all seemed to be apropos.

And then March Madness came. No, not the basketball playoffs, the madness that cancelled those playoffs — COVID-19. Who’d-a-thunk-it? Where did this come from? All of a sudden the whole world seemed blindsided by this virus. Blinded, shut down, not seeing clearly, foggy, confused, no 2020 vision.

Or were we really blinded?

Well, maybe at first. But as time marches on in this state of flux, I find myself truly refocusing and actually seeing clearer. Things I valued and deemed important in my life beforehand have become more obvious now.

I think we could all say indisputably that our family and our health are near the top of our most valued assets. Being able to spend so much time with our kids, the positive and negative of it, is something we may never have again in our lifetime — at least not like this. This containment scenario is making many memories and may one day be viewed as a blessing, though it’s a bit trying for the time being. My son is older and, not only out of the house, but quarantined in Chicago. For me, I wish I had more time with him. Kids grow up fast. 

And our health can change fast over time too. During this “stay-at-home” order Robert and I have been refocusing on eating well and exercising better, because we want to live active and prosperous lives for many years. Plus with all the stress of the situation, it’s also a good time for prayer ministry and noticing how we’re dealing with the pressures. Our emotional health and personal growth are important too. 

At the top of our values most of us would put “faith in God.” Perhaps this priority in our lives is being tested these days. We may be questioning: “What is God up to?” “Did He cause this?” “How will He fix this?” “Why is He allowing this to happen?” 

My only answer is — I don’t know.

I don’t know any of the “why’s” or “how’s,” but I do know we have to focus on Him and not the circumstances. This is where the 2020 vision does come in. Recently reflecting on Jesus dying on the cross and Easter — things weren’t what they appeared to be in this story. Today I have to look beyond my natural eyesight and what I think I see. This is walking by faith, not by sight. (2 Cor.5:7) If ever there was a time to understand this verse, it’s now.

So how do I do this? I relax and trust that Father God loves me and that His love is always good. I rest in not having to know everything and instead simply know that He’s here with me, in the middle of it all. 

I, too, can’t wait to see my friends in church again, to surf at the beach, to go out to dinner, and to be with all of my extended family. But for now I’m trying to refocus back solely on Him and I’m seeing much clearer than I have in a while. After all, it is the year 2020.

The Passage

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by Cyndi

As I was thinking about this COVID-19 situation, a scene came to me. I pictured all of us getting rounded up and taken aboard a big pirate-looking ship. It was one of those old wooden sailing ships with ratlines leading up to the crow’s nest and topsails tied up over the crosstrees as you looked at the masthead. There was no flag nor any name on its stern and it creaked and swayed as we were led coercively over the gangplank. 

Amidships many walked aboard with hands tied behind their backs and heads hung low in sorrow and disbelief. “How could this have happened?” I heard one say. “When is God going to help us?” they sighed. I pitied these saints as they slumped onto the ship and resignedly went below deck. Slaves, I thought. Just like slaves — crammed together in the belly of the ship to sweat and surrender to a new life of fear and hopelessness. A look of great loss and tears appeared on their faces as the line slowly drudged on. 

Towards the bow of ship there was another line of people coming aboard on a different gangway. The wind was gently blowing as the vessel rocked against its berth, but these people didn’t have their hands tied behind them. In fact, they had their heads up, were smiling and pointing admiringly at the beauty of the ship as they came aboard. This group didn’t go below; they filed along the side decks and onto the cabin. Sitting topsides, many were enjoying the fresh air and fellowshipping with one another about the goodness of God.

Eventually the dock lines were dropped and the ship headed for sea — the vast unknown. No one seemed to have any idea of where we were going. All that was apparent was that we were being shipped out to sea against our will. 

Those below deck wallowed in their misery. Some wanted to curse God and die. Those up on deck chose to help in the work, even assisting in hoisting the sails and pulling ropes to trim them. The wind was blowing hard now and the uncharted seas were becoming rough.

So God now turns to me and asks, “To which people group do you belong to?” Am I stuck below in the strange shadows and darkness of despair, or am I topsides looking towards an unknown horizon and future with hope and expectation?

For both groups it’s going to be a journey — a voyage with some storms to go through and no timeframe to gauge it. How are we choosing to embrace this passage? 

I believe it is a choice.