Looking UP
Beacon of Hope was founded in 2002 in Holland, Michigan, a stone’s throw from Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is the second largest of the five Great Lakes by water volume and the seventh largest lake in the world by same measure. The surface of Lake Michigan covers 22,300 square miles, which makes it the third largest of the five Great Lakes by surface area. Lake Michigan’s shore is home to the largest freshwater sand dunes in the world. The five Great Lakes - Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie and Ontario - span a total surface area of 94,600 square miles and are all connected by a variety of lakes and rivers, making them the largest freshwater system in the world. It is estimated that there are nearly 24,000 cubic miles of surface freshwater on earth. The Great Lakes hold over 5,400 cubic miles of water -- therefore accounting for more than 20% of the world’s surface freshwater.
Why all these facts about the Great Lakes? Most of us reading this blog get to live here. And if you are blessed to be able to read this blog and do not live in the Great Lake Region I appeal for you to come visit. For those of us in the State of Michigan, we are blessed. The beauty of our Lord is all around us. We do not have to go far to be in the water in Michigan. It's true: In Michigan you're never more than six miles away from some kind of water, whether it's a river, a lake, or one of the Great Lakes.
So why did it take me 50+ years and a vacation away to realize this? Well, we tend to be busy where we are and we often have to go somewhere in order to slow down. I generally do not vacation in my home state – when I was younger we would go camping and fishing in the North country, which is absolutely beautiful, but for the most part, only weekend getaways.
Recently, I came across a piece of art, while on vacation that made me think of Lake Michigan. Most lakes that you visit you can see the other side. Generally if you are at a body of water where you cannot see the other side, well, you probably are at a large sea or an ocean. Not in Michigan – its just a lake and unfortunately that is what a lot of us see, just a lake. Well, picture yourself out in the middle of that lake, where you cannot see land in any direction. I have not actually been to a point like this in Lake Michigan, but my research tells me that the average six foot person standing at water level can see about 3 miles to the horizon. If this is true, and Milwaukee is about 87 miles from Muskegon across Lake Michigan, my math is telling me that you can very well be in parts of the big lake and not see land.
Now imagine if yourself in a small boat, maybe 10, 12 feet or so with 4 or 5 of your buddies, and for some reason panic sets in and all your friends rush to the stern carrying all their weight with them. What happens to the bow? In my mind it must rise up and the heavier the friends the higher the bow goes. Now the friends are in panic, they cannot control themselves or the boat, they are screaming, clutching each other, but you, are able to clench on to the bow as it rises from the surface, hanging on as you look up. The fear in the rear is so real, but you have distanced yourself from the panic and life’s problems and the situations that threaten to sink you. Your will has turned to the horizon, to focus on what can be, as you seek to look up to God and claim His glory. Fighting hard for what is ahead, what is above, has given you the strength to carry forward and separate yourself from the fear.
This same thing is happening for those that are seeking counseling in these days of peril. The resilient will prevail. But, they need the help of a guide. Like you were looking to God as your friends were sinking – those seeking counsel can receive the Hope that is portrayed in this story.
All we need is right where we are. But sometimes we need to go somewhere in order to actually see what we really have. So, when you feel like you are sinking, be grateful for the water that surrounds you; seek the Lord, keep your eyes on Him, and allow His hand to pull you out.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” – II Peter 1:3
Written by Kyle Thompson, Ed.D. LPC
