Beware of Changing Tides
Living on the coast, and especially at the end of a river that runs into the sea, I get to see the tides change firsthand every day. The water is coming, standing still or going at any given time.
But it is never really “standing still”, is it?
On the surface it looks calm and still, tranquil even, while, in reality, it is in transition between going here and going there. I can imagine the water feeling the pressing forces from both sides closing in during that time, relentlessly squeezing its nature of understanding.
If I could hear the thoughts of water, I would imagine them to be something like… “I can’t flow that way or that way. I am stuck and everything is so hard.”. Then, without knowing and from powers outside of itself, molecule by molecule, momentum and direction accumulate until the entire body of water knows exactly where to go and once again flows easily with clarity and purpose.
Have you ever felt that way?
If so, how many times have your tides changed course? How many times have you felt like everything is flowing fine in one direction only to start feeling an undercurrent of resistance and then an all-out tug that gets you going in a different direction?
This happened to me when I was called to take a rest from the relentless infertility treatments and just be me for a while. My tides also changed when I was called to start teaching family disciplines and wellness after a career in marine mammal behavior and veterinary practice and again when I was called to homeschool and again when I was called to start using my schooling, stories and experiences to build leadership practices in raising the next generation of young women.
The tide needs to go this way and then that way just like a trail through the wilderness is not straight. Every direction is necessary, every turn has purpose and even every fall and mishap can be growth and learning to build you stronger.
While you are leading the next generation of God’s daughters you have probably witnessed this in them a few times as they grow in their relationship with Christ, end a toxic relationship, transition into young adult life, change career paths, etc..
Jeremiah 29:11 says,
" For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I am guessing you, like me, have probably fought against a tide before, be it physical, emotional, spiritual or mental.
I love a canoe experience and if the small boat topples in a circus of chaos, which is often the case out of accident or intention, you have to collect all the things and fight your way through the current to get them. Water starts piling against your body creating a wall of pushback that gets harder and harder to oppose as your body gets more exhausted.
When you are not in line with the Lord’s plans this is what it feels like. It is hard, exhausting, walls get erected, and you try and push through them, but more keep coming. The direction is unclear, there is stress, anxiety and lack of true peace. Maybe you have to keep a secret and live in shadows, which is always a blaring sign you are not on the right path because God is light. Maybe the people that love you are warning you or maybe you have a tugging feeling from the Holy Spirit you have been ignoring that is unrelenting.
A tide change may be exactly what you, or those you lead are facing right now. But, learning how to listen to that direction is essential to being able to get back into the right flow. Something to know and teach is that you are never too far away from Him that He will not find you and offer you a way back to being in tandem with him. Just look at how he welcomed back the prodigal son!
How can we listen and be aware of the direction we are being called in?
- Be in the word and let it come alive with direction in your life each day.
You want to read and then journal, pray and/or have a conversation so you can ask yourself what direction you are being given from the scripture you have just read. What is He telling you through His word that day?
- Seek wise Christian council that is biblically based
There is a lot of council out there that will profess wisdom, but it is world wisdom or even “religious” wisdom, which is distinctly different than biblical wisdom. Mentorship is essential for all ages, but be very discerning who you are seeking mentorship from and where they are filled from.
- Ask the question, “Is this you Lord?” all the time.
In a time when there are SO many voices out there be sure to always be checking in to see if this is truly the Lord. If it is, then it will be aligned with biblical principles and biblical council, and your heart and mind, and the Holy Spirit that whispers to them, will be aligned as well. Be in prayer and ask Him to close doors that aren't meant for you and place wise council in your life to show you the way.
Just because I changed from the direction of marine mammalogy to family, youth and leadership work doesn’t mean I wasn’t supposed to do marine mammal work. I was and then I was made for something else.
Just read through Ecclesiastes 3 to know that there is a season for everything, you just need to be open and ready to change directions when the time comes.
If you are in a season of change I would love to hear about it and how you are navigating right now. You can reach me through @nellie.a.harden on IG or email me at [email protected]
Footnote: A cheers to all the graduates this year and all the tides that are changing. May you have someone in your life to always help you find your way and grow closer with Christ in every season.
