Giving Up To Wait Upon God
Marooned by Howard Pyle
We see a solitary man sitting against a large expanse of sand and water. He sits turned into himself -- to think, to weep, to rest? He has nothing but the clothes on his back.
The sky is filled with clouds and in the distance a wave splashes upwards to create the only action in this picture. The sand is smooth and unwrinkled, washed repeatedly with the ocean's wave.
Although all seems quiet and peaceful that is far from the story for this is a picture about waiting to be rescued and waiting is a very active pursuit. We can either wait with hope and expectancy or we can wait in hopelessness.
This painting gives a feeling of the latter. Whenever we turn into ourselves as this man is all we see is our own smallness and lack of resources. Seeing all our limitations can quickly lead to despair.
But if we raise our eyes even a little we can see other possibilities. Learn to look away from yourself and you'll soon see that great expanse around you and be reminded that the God of this universe is not limited now or ever. He has all the resources you and I need to rise out of our hopeless situations.
But we have to look up to God and ask Him. He will never force himself upon us. Isaiah 30:18 says that "The Lord still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God." (NLT)
It is God who waits for us! Now that's a thought to ponder.