Jamaican Sunrise

    I scoffed at pictures of Jamaica. "No way does it look like that! It's all bound to be photoshopped!" 

    Until I got a chance to visit and see it for myself.

    I was stunned at the magnificent peaks and the dramatic plunges to the valley floors. The water really was the same blue the pictures had shown. The scenery was clear, refreshing, striking.

    Only one thing was left to make the experience complete: a sunrise over the ocean. That would surely be the stamp of perfection.

    And so we arose at some unearthly hour of the morning, wrapped blankets around our shoulders, and stumbled blearily down the path to the spot we had chosen the night before. We made sure to face east (a harder task for those of us who are directionally challenged than you may realize) and gazed into the paling night, waiting for the sun to edge its way over the horizon.

    As time passed and the sky grew lighter, we could begin to make out individual blades of grass, rocks, and trees. But another problem arose. It seemed the sun was coming up in glory and splendor, all right, but not over the ocean. Instead, an arm of land jutted out just at the worst possible spot, and it was there, behind the mound of trees on the land, that the sun was rising.

    We couldn't believe it. We had tried so hard! We'd made sure we knew what time the sun would come up, checked our directions, set multiple alarms, got out of bed and down to the overlook at an appropriate time, and yet? Nothing. 

    I'm sure you can relate. You have those days too. The times when you've struggled and strained to do everything right, but somehow it still ends up wrong. Exhausted from your efforts, you gaze in dismay as all your hard work comes to nothing.

    Sometimes one is tempted to blame God: "Why can't You make this come out right? I've tried so hard to do everything I should!"

    Other days one is tempted to place the blame on those around us. And then there are the times we take more blame on ourselves than we ought. We feel worthless, like a complete failure. All our best efforts have not been enough.

    I can't speak for you, but I can tell you what those situations usually mean for me. Often it is God's way of reminding me how much I need Him. All my carefully laid plans that collapse into frustration are evidence that nothing can be without the touch of God.

    Relax. Lean into His embrace. Remember you can't do it alone, and bask in the knowledge that His power is great enough to take care of every problem you face.