Undulations

Undulation: (noun; un-dol-lay-shun)

From the Latin word undulatio.

A wave-like curve; a smooth and regular rise and fall.

I feel this word is an accurate depiction of how life is lived.

And plus, it is always extremely enjoyable when one word can describe so much.

Let us break down this definition, shall we?

What DOES this mean for you, and what does this mean for me?

1) A wave-like curve.

Everyone undergoes moments of accomplishment and success. We love being and feeling on top of the world. And unfortunately for our race, those highlights never last as long as we might like. When the high point of the undulation begins it's descent, we tend to believe our own shortcomings brought on this low point. It becomes very easy at this point for Satan's demons to penetrate our vulnerability and make us sad and guilt-ridden over what we did to deserve such a punishment. But hey! That's not how it is, man. Low points are part of the grand scheme of life! How can we truly appreciate the good times without acknowledging and walking through the valleys of shadow and sorrow? Keeping in prayer through both the good and the bad will add a level of consistency to the spiritual life that carries us through all walks of the life, crying with us through the low points, and rejoicing with us in the high points. This morning, I read an interesting quote out of my Bible Study journal that read,

"Those who do not pray when the sun shines will not know how to pray when the clouds roll in."

Essentially, God wants to walk with us in all times of life because He desires to fill us with a fulfilling life, a father wishes to spend time with his son and teach him how to play ball. He's got all these plans in accordance to each phase in our ever-undulating life. Isn't that exciting? Is that why we should always be joyful at heart, even amidst sorrow and sadness? Because our Father has a blessing coming that will rock our world, touch somebody's life and further God's kingdom here on earth? And in turn, will we not acknowledge how real His presence is in our lives and increase our belief that He truly can do all things? And will this not open us up to even greater miracles, even greater revelations which He can reveal to us because we believe our God is a living God working within us through both good times and bad, whether we "feel" him or not?

YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!

Dear God,

I am hurting and weak.

My strength has left me, and I am weary.

But even if I cannot feel your presence, I will obey you anyway.

I love you, Father. Use me in this time to bring heaven closer to earth.

Let not my will, but your will be done.

Amen.

SO! Our lives are crazy anyway. Why not let God steer us through the waters, riding the wave with His love and mercy leading the way? Let us say yes to rest.

2) A smooth and regular rise and fall

I know I fail to recognize undulations when I'm in the heart of a low point. Yet, I see them most clearly during high points, because getting there meant God delivered me from all past low-points and I see now that He was there the whole time. So I try to grow through these actualizations. But it's always easier to see the forest from the mountaintop, but never when you're among the trees.

So next up in our definition is understanding when a low-point is a low-point and when a high-point is a high-point, and then acting accordingly.

Are you sad?

Pray, and ask God to keep your heart joyful and sustaining, and use you in this temporal stage that others might be blessed.

Are you happy?

Pray, and thank God for his blessings in delivering you from the temptations of the evil one during your low undulation, and bask in the gloriousness of his many blessings with wonderful people, experiences, and memories! These are all a part of one life, not a choppy bunch of random happenings. God is making a beautiful tapestry that requires wave-like movements that weave us all together in the end. Low points that seem unexpected and undeserving are not results of our shortcomings, but of God wanting to deliver us and walk with us so we rely on Him, because His plans are way better than any of us can ever predict or comprehend until we take a leap of faith, and let the waves roll on with God guiding the way.