Dear Daughters,
The third largest earthquake ever recorded by seismograph occurred deep in the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004. I remember the date because it was Jodi’s birthday, coupled with the disturbing fact that 227,898 lives were tragically lost. I had never heard the word tsunami before that day, but quickly learned the definition – a long high sea wave caused by an earthquake. It was 9.1 on the Richter scale and it produced waves 100 feet in height, traveling 500 m.p.h. and reaching a radius of 3,000 miles. It was the deadliest in history, but one people group living right in its path survived with no casualties.
The Moken are part of an Austronesian ethnic group that lives in the open seas from birth to death. Their handmade wooden boats function as houseboats for these sea gypsies. The Moken children learn to swim before they walk, have incredible vision underwater and can hold their breath far longer than most of us. But it wasn’t any of these skills that saved the Moken people, it was their intimacy with the ocean. They read the ocean warning signs better than we read street signs.
The Moken people recognized that the birds had stopped chirping, the cicadas had gone silent, the elephants were heading toward higher ground and the dolphins were quickly swimming farther out to sea.
You know what the Moken people did? Those who were near the coast of Thailand docked their boats and climbed up to the highest elevation possible. Those who were out to sea paddled farther out to sea, making it to the deep ocean, knowing the tsunami crest would be minimal as it passed by.
Burmese fishermen who were fishing in the same vicinity as the Moken had no survivors.
They were collecting squid, said one Moken survivor. They don’t know how to look. The waves, the birds, the cicadas, the elephants and the dolphins were speaking to these Burmese fishermen, but they didn’t know how to listen.
The water receded quickly, and one small wave rolled onshore, so the Moken knew there was trouble coming. In the past their forefathers had spoken about “a wave that eats people,” and they perceived this was the one.
Just like the Moken speak the language of the sea, we are those who speak the language of the Spirit. I was reading the book, Whisper, by Mark Batterson, in which he tells stories of how God has taught him to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit is willing to speak to whoever is willing to listen. I remember in the year 1980, both Dad and I sensed the Holy Spirit calling us to leave our dairy in Idaho and move to Michigan with two small children so that Dad could attend seminary and I could finish the college degree I had abandoned 8 years earlier. It was a huge decision, not made lightly, but it was a good decision. Did it make life easier? No. But it was where God was calling us.
There are times when I am at loss for words – either when writing or talking with others – then when I silently ask, I hear His still small voice, giving me words to say and questions to ask. I know in my own wisdom I have not much to offer, which is why I need to ask the Holy Spirit for words.
Does that mean everything I say and write is God-given? No, because sometimes I forget to ask – I think I don’t need Him. Quite foolish of me, but it happens.
When I was younger, I was so shy I would hardly talk to anyone, I didn’t think anything I said was worthwhile so I just stayed silent most of the time. My concentration was on me and my insecurities, which brought fear about what others would think about me if I said something.
But when I started asking the Holy Spirit to work through me, it got me away from keeping my eyes on me and start focusing on others. So, I flipped my focus when I was around other people, I started asking questions of them – questions about their life, their story – nothing deep – just to let them know I care. The typical person will be happy to be asked about their day, their frustrations or the story of who they are, even if it’s a sad story.
Just like the Moken, who had learned to listen intimately to the sound of the sea and the creatures surrounding it, God is reaching out to us, giving us a chance to listen to His words. He is so generous and desires to give us freely of the Holy Spirit, and He is there simply for the asking. He is a Person and He’s waiting to hear from you.
Love, Mom
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and He is presented to us in so many ways in sermons and in the Bible. Hallelujah! But rarely do we get messages that center on the Holy Spirit unless it is brought up in praise music. The the Holy Spirit is so much more than the interpreter of our hearts to God. He also has messages to give. I wish we had more sermons on the power and wonder of the Holy Spirit! Thank you Shari for this insight! Much love to you and Larry.
Yes, Donna, I heartily agree! The Holy Spirit is often the forgotten person of the Trinity, but He is so important. I’m currently reading the book “The God I Never Knew,” and it’s all about the work of the Holy Spirit – it is fabulous. There’s nothing weird or spooky about Him, He is a normal part of a Christian’s life – if we allow Him in:) Good to hear from you, Donna!
Happy to see your November commentary got done! Frequently checked throughout the month because I look forward to what you have to say each time you write. I, too, remember how very shy you were in our younger years during junior high school. To see the change that has transformed you into the precious woman that you are today speaks to the fact that if a person keeps their eyes on Jesus, digs deeper into His word and follows His direction and teachings, a beautiful butterfly emerges from the confines and restrictions of it’s first home. Keep doing what you’re doing – proof positive that lives can be changed when we trust in Jesus.
Ah yes, you remember those days when I could hardly speak – I think you are the only one I still keep in contact with:) Yes, Jesus changes everything! Thanks for reading!