The Reflectionary

Low tide uncovers all sorts of hidden treasures. These great boulders were put here as part of the sea defences, and at high tide are completely covered. Only the surf shows their position- and that can look very hostile. What a place to live!

As the tide drops, it quickly becomes evident that the rocks have tenants… and the tenants have squatters.

Colonies of limpets cling with considerable force to the rock surface. Their grasp is strong enough to even withstand the storms: and at low tide they can make themselves into a “diving bell” that resists the sun’s heat and retains moisture within the shell.

On top of the limpets- amazing numbers of barnacles, living, feeding, breeding, and surviving in their harsh environment. The whole rock is covered with a living armour. It is home, larder, protection and a foundation.

Perhaps you thought the photo is a bit dull. On first sight most people would agree.

But when the colonies are unobserved, and not threatened by heat or storm, the whole environment is alive. Drama is witnessed by the passing fish… a few crabs scurry along… the hungry starfish may try to drill their special “teeth” through tough shells to find succulent flesh.  It’s a hard world. Life is a struggle.

Like the limpets, sometimes the only thing to do is HOLD ON TIGHT.

Perseverance and endurance are not an “easy sell” today. We have become used to easy answers, to technology “solving” issues, and conditioned into a “disposable” way of life. Repair? No, just replace. Life difficult? Stop struggling and go a different, easier, way. Unpopular truth? Discard it and compromise.

Just as well Jesus endured, all the way to the Cross.  Paul the apostle- what an easy life he lived! (That’s sarcasm, by the way.)  Beaten, mobbed, condemned, eventually martyred. He wrote this: and it’s worth thinking on, and meditating on these words of strange encouragement.

Just hold on!  God will not let you down.

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”