From The End of The Earth

Hundreds of years ago as explorers like Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan were sailing away from Europe, they were looking for new lands and wondering where the earth ended.

Even thousands of years ago people we read about in the Bible were thinking about that.  One of my favourite references is the one where God removes our sins as far as the east is from the west.  How far is that?  Where is the end of that?  I’ve travelled west for many hours on a place only to find myself in the Far East. Hmmm

Then there are the explorers that have travelled to the poles.  Since I live in Canada I know more about folks who headed to the North Pole.  I wonder if they found Santa Claus there when they arrived? 

We may not be adventurers like these explorers but I think we each find ourselves “at the end of the earth” at times in our experience calling out to God for help.  Does your heart resonate with these words like mine does?

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer!  From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!

Psalm 61:1-4

I’ve experienced this place of coming to what seemed like the end of hope, the end of possibilities, certainly the end of my own understanding and ability.  For most of that, there are areas of our experience where we get to this point on a fairly regular basis. 

It may be chaos in society or in our families.  It may be challenges to simply feed and house our families because we’ve become unemployed.  Illness and loss can bring us to that place that feels like “the end of the earth.” 

Fortunately, when we get there we can be assured that we’ll find God there.  He’s just waiting for us to call out to Him so He can provide shelter and refuge for us during the stormy times and peace that will give us space to rest and become strong again.

Loving God, wherever we find ourselves today, in an easy place or one where we feel like we’re at the end of the earth, we pray to remember that You are with us, ready to protect us, steady us, support us, and give us what we need.

Help us to actually call out to You for help so we can experience all You are longing to give to us.  We offer ourselves, our challenges, and even our successes to You.  Use it all to take us forward in Your good plans for our day and our lives.  Amen

We can face anything anywhere, even conditions at “the end of the earth” when we rely on our faithful and loving God.  May we do that today and experience peace.