God of the lake, grant us Thy peace and Thy restfulness,
Peace to bring into a world of hurry and confusion,
Restfulness to carry to the tired whom we shall meet every day,
Content to do the small things with a freedom from littleness,
Self control for the unexpected emergency,
And patience for the wearisome task, with deep depths within our
souls to bear us through the crowded places.
Sitting on the shores of Green Lake last Saturday, with an offshore breeze smoothing the bay, the calming reality, yet real life challenge expressed by the poet was self-evident.
We know lakes are not always calm, and life does not always run smoothly, and Jesus’ life was hardly a cake walk, yet he says "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Let not your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." John 14:27 I also like the cryptic phrase in Mark "have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another." Mark 9:50b
Salt in this sense can be seen as purifier, to have within yourself the purifying influence of Jesus and so find peace in the midst of life’s challenges.
Our church and most churches exist to help each person work out the profound details that make the above sentiments practical, to help one discover the "deep depths" needed. We stand ready to do our best in this task under that God of the lakes and hills and Jesus.