I love this picture that Ben took of his cousin, Crew, at Eden Falls near Ponca, Arkansas. It is striking to me. A small, timid boy, looking over a grand precipice into the roar of a waterfall. It’s a bit David and Goliath-ish, isn’t it?
Sometimes we feel small. Scared. Uncertain. Inadequate. We are ridden with guilt. We feel like failures.
And we are facing something giant. Unknown. Mysterious. Something that is new and we are unsure. We are looking at the impossible.
It sounds loud. Discouraging. The roar mocks us. It’s confusing. Too mighty a force for us.
And just like that, we are David. Standing there looking up into the seemingly immovable Goliath.
This picture reminded me of a Casting Crown’s song (I love that group)! The song is called Voice of Truth. (Take some time to listen to it!)
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I’m in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He’s holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again, “Boy, you’ll never win!”
“You’ll never win!”
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
And the voice of truth says, “This is for my glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they had the strength to stand
But the giant’s calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again, “Boy you’ll never win!”
“You’ll never win”
But the voice of truth tells me a different story….
(Casting Crowns)
David knew to listen to the voice of truth! What a life that little shepherd boy grew up to lead! I’m thankful he wrote some things down for us!
Psalm 138:3 — “On the day I called, You answered me. You made me bold with strength in my soul.” (NASB)
Psalm 46:1-3 — “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” (NIV)
So, thank you my talented Benji, for capturing an image that speaks volumes! When I stand on that grand precipice facing the roar of life’s giants, I will not listen. When the waters foam, I will be bold with strength in my soul! When they surge, I will not fear! Instead, I will choose to listen and believe the voice of Truth.