TURTLE POWER
Until a couple of years ago, I never thought of putting those two words together. But I can now, after spotting a couple of cute little turtles in the small lake behind our home during my morning prayer time that day.
I was having one of those weeks when the blues had overcome my soul like one of our swift Florida thunderstorms. Howling winds of negative narratives were battering my weary soul. You know the drill, whether you wrestle with long-term health issues, financial uncertainty, relational impasses, paralyzing shame, and more. Our challenges differ, but they do indeed sometimes storm our hearts with pounding rain and jagged bolts of fear, anger, frustration, resentment, confusion, and self-pity, don’t they? That’s when we lose perspective. That’s when we lose hope. And that’s when we find ourselves howling back at the storms or, sometimes, griping at God. Yes, I was having a bad morning and found myself thinking, feeling, and saying something like:
“You know, you really could do better than this, Lord. You could whisk it all away if you wanted to. Now, it’s not like I’m complaining or anything — okay, maybe I am—but this has been going on for a ridiculously long time, with no clear paths, no clear solutions, and no lights on the horizon… none… zero… zilch… nada! I mean, you ARE supernatural. Just saying.”
Yeah, even pastors have meltdowns every now and then. Good thing God can handle our outbursts, though. Every time. That’s because He loves us. All the time. Even when we lose it, uh, especially when we lose it. And I love how He allows us to vent and let out all that steam. Then, at just the right time, He graciously sends us a whisper from above. On this day, it was through Mr. and Mrs. Turtle.
The sun had started its rise and gave me just enough light to catch a glimpse of two little turtle heads poking up and down out of the cozy lake they shared with all kinds of fish, ducks, herons, iguanas, and even alligators, from time to time. As they gently swam closer toward my shoreline, I could see their little flippers paddling, as they seemingly danced together in these sometimes-hazardous waters. You never know when an alligator might get a hankering for a turtle sandwich. But that concern would be for another day, a rare one when a gator is cruising nearby. So, no sense forfeiting the peace and joy of dancing with each other on this day by obsessing about a stray alligator on a stray day in the future. Whether threat or none, rain or shine, hot or cold, crowded or alone, they just amazingly “turtle on” with gentle grace, humble trust, and inexplicable peace.
No flare or fanfare. No bravado or boasting. They just “turtle on.” Together. And there it is, my friend. Simple power. Gentle power. Turtle power. Not very impressive at first, but as I thought about it a bit more, I became very impressed.
Like our waterways, life is full of potential and actual hazards. Jesus said: “You will have tribulation” or gators in this life. He also said: “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest… my yoke is easy, and my burden is light… I am gentle and humble in heart… and you will find rest for your souls.”
So, the Lord used Mr. & Mrs. Turtle that morning, wonderfully gentle and humble creatures, to remind me of a marvelous heart-healing truth: no matter the challenges or dangers that may be lurking downstream, we can still enjoy the waters and dance with our mate (Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” comes to mind with a little twist: “Hold me closer, turtle dancer…”) in the midst of it all. And we can still enjoy our family, friends, and the Lord to turtle on as we trust His love and care for us. In one sense, I do like to call it turtle power. But of course, it is just a way to realize and embrace the gentle power of God to live in His assurance as we press on, move on, and turtle on in Him and with each other.
Turtling on with you,
Pastor Mark
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