I was told today about a 90 year old woman who was swimming in the ocean recently. She is evidently admired by many friends as a person of great faith in God’s ability to help at anytime.
While swimming, a heart problem developed and began to incapacitate her. She started to sink and knew she was in serious trouble.
Not losing her faith, she prayed for what to do. An inner voice told her to raise her arm above the surface of the water, and someone would see her.
She obeyed.
At a distance, a stranger in a boat sees her arm signaling above the water, comes to her immediate rescue, and takes her safely to shore.
After hearing this story, I thought about times over the years when I was “sinking at sea” and fast feeling hopeless. But God told me to “raise my hand for help,” and someone came to my rescue.
It’s comforting to know that we are never alone. God is always there and can help in unpredictable ways.
But we mustn’t forget to raise our hand if needed!
Evan, I have a question about reaching out for God’s help. I think I understand the concept of doing this metaphysically, however if we are truly a reflection of God, aren’t we part of God??? ie. No separation, and if no separation how can we ask for something we are already a part of for help? Is it the human experience that we are working with here? The illusion of being stuck in the water, lack or limitation, disease etc. I try to reconcile this everday with varying degrees of success and maybe am trying to “intellectualize” it to much. Your thoughts are always appreciated.
To above,
You are correct in your metaphysics in stating that God and man/woman, are inseparable. There is no gap between perfect man and perfect God. It’s the human limited sense of things that feels separated from God, and at times, feels like it is sinking at sea. This material sense in not the man of God’s creating. It’s mortal mind. And the way out of suffering for the human mind is to seek God’s help–or, in other words,–accept spiritual reality. And this often starts with the raising of a hand saying, “I need help.” It’s the first step to the final step of realizing one is never separated from God, in Spirit, in the first place.
Thanks, Your explanation really helped!!!!!!