“Waves in a Turbulent Sea”
In the hymn “Sois la Semilla (You Are the Seed)” numerous metaphors are used to describe our responsibility to “go to the world, proclaiming love to all, messengers of my forgiving peace, eternal love.” The metaphors include yeast, seed, salt beacon, sting, waves, shepherds, flame, friends. The metaphor that has always intrigued me is “you’re the waves in a turbulent sea.” It brings up images of boats going up and down in a raging ocean with high white-capped waves crashing over the boat. The waves are in control, not the boat or the people on the boat. The waves though, are powered by the wind which is the ultimate controlling force.
I suggest that each of us is called to be messengers of God’s love, peace, justice and hope in this turbulent time that we live in. We are powered by the wind of the Spirit of God.
Turbulence is in our midst:
From a president who undoes health care for children and reinstates oil pipelines going through sacred Native grounds and are a threat to the environment;
From wars that continue in Afghanistan, Syria; violence in Israel/Palestine, Sudan to verbal bodily abuse of individuals that don’t believe, think or act in a predetermined manner;
From hate and violence towards any who are different in religion, race, sexual identity to domestic violence against those we supposedly love;
From an economy that is the best in years to those who can’t find a job;
From an emphasis on homeland security to keeping the immigrant out and building walls.
Yes, we are in the midst of turbulent times. And it is the responsibility of each of us to advocate for justice; to find where God is at work in the world and join God there; and to grow in our faith as we expand our involvement in God’s Kingdom building.
Raquel Gutiérrez-Achon translates Cesareo Gabaraín last stanza and chorus of his hymn in this way:
“You are the life that will nurture the plant;
you’re the waves in a turbulent sea;
yesterday’s yeast is beginning to rise,
a new loaf of bread it will yield.
There is no place for a city to hide,
nor a mountain can cover its might;
may your good deeds show a world in despair
a path that will lead all to God.
Refrain
Go, my friends, go to the world, proclaiming love to all,
messengers of my forgiving peace, eternal love.
Be my friends, a loyal witness, from the dead I arose;
‘Lo, I’ll be with you forever, till the end of the world.’”
We must be willing to be blown away by the Spirit into waves that will bring all kinds of wonders and surprise and that will stir us up to take action that perhaps we have never thought of before.
Joyce D. Sohl has been Laywoman-in-Residence since 2009 as a full-time volunteer. She retired as CEO of United Methodist Women in 2004. She is the author of 4 books, a teacher, retreat leader, writer and non-professional musician. Here at the Center her work is in the area of Spirituality & the Arts with such programs as Tuesdays in the Chapel, Vespers & All That Jazz, Poet’s Corner, and quarterly retreats and art exhibits.