"CLAIMING THE HIGH C'S"
INTRODUCTION
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Oceans and seas are vast and mysterious... Containing 97% of the Earth's water supply, they are still largely uncharted and therefore unknown. One paradox: humans cannot live unaided in or under water, yet they cannot live without it. Water is an absolute necessity for all life on the planet Earth.
What's the purpose of the High Seas? Why is there so much water on our planet?
Oceanographers give multiple benefits and functions for these large bodies of water called oceans, including purification and regeneration. Primarily they are seen as weather and temperature moderators, heating the land and air in the winter and bringing cooling refreshment in the summer. Seas are smaller sections of water partially surrounded by land.
Listed according to size, the five oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic. The three largest seas are the South China Sea, the Caribbean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.
WHICH WAY DO I GO?
It's easy to get overwhelmed and lost at sea. The Pacific Ocean is 64,186,000 square miles in area3. That's sixty four million square miles! Finding your way across this body of water, even on calm days, takes great nautical skill and physical stamina... something very few people possess. It's the extremely rare individual who endeavors and completes such a crossing.
On the high seas there aren't any street signs and it's easy to lose the way when winds buffet and waves crash and currents sweep you along. There are no landmarks to assist your voyage and when sunlight reflects off the water you can blind.
Imagine having no sight and being alone on the ocean. Hopelessness and despair might soon overwhelm you. Imagine not having direction or help. Or imagine being there without the knowledge or skill to proceed through a storm, or a dark, starless night, or a blinding bright day, or a foodless week, or any time without drinking water (because salt water is not drinkable). Most people in desperation would be crying out for help.
"Help me, I'm lonely and going crazy!"
"Help me, I'm lost!"
"Help me, I'm dying!"
"Help me! Help me. Help me..."
And there are the storms...
Storms enter our lives. Storms have big waves. Stormy "seas" have shifting surroundings; "watery" fluid that gives no place for a paddle or propeller, let alone a foot. These "seas" can pull you down and under. No place for a sure foundation. No place for breath. Large waves roll and take you places where you don't want to go and then break right on top of you. There might be real danger: you could be capsized; you could drown; you could disappear without a trace; you could be smashed on jagged rocks; you might even pull others under the water with you.
What storms may come your way? Like a sudden "Northeaster" or tropical front or cyclonic trough, illness can come suddenly without any warning. Cancer and heart disease are two major forms of harsh degrees that may cause major disturbances in marriages and families. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, Krohn's disease, arthritis or rheumatism, can mimic long stormy seasons, or call for emergency preparation as if a hurricane. Other things come as storms, too. Job loss, death, separation or divorce, empty nest, broken dreams, depression... these are just a few aspects of life that could cause major upheaval and turmoil and therefore drastic emergency measures need to be taken.
Wind adds to the ferocity and noise of a storm. And it can be scary. This unseen force buffets and stirs-up the environment. What can you do? Where can you find help? When the waves toss and turn you, when the seas are vast and deep and billows roll over you, is there anything you can even remember?
 Welcome to the Claiming the High C's...
On the oceans of life, the "High C's" can be an offering of certainty. A simplified approach for finding help... giving you the hope of something positive to do... assisting you in even remembering how to find the way through life and relationships.
THE NEGATIVE "C's"
What could be done to help each other? What can be done to prevent destruction in marriages and families? Before we begin our journey on the "High C's" let's acknowledge the common or negative C's that could overwhelm our lives.
Four C's of Destruction...
Four aspects of a wasted life are common especially in Western societies. These four aspects begin with the letter C.
Criticism
Contempt
Confusion
Chaos
Do you recognize these negative aspects? Can you see how one builds upon another until all four are present?
Are any of these negative C's in your life? Reread this list and notice which of these aspects could be common realities in your day-to-day life. There are very few "highs" or happy thoughts connected to this list. And sadly, one negative C often generates another.
Much time and effort may be wasted because these C's can lead into constant crises; demanding attention and management. A lot of precious energy and human resources are "wasted" on such crisis management. And the truth is, we don't have all that much time and energy. Resources are naturally limited, so unwise use leads to depletion and chronic emptiness.
Whenever you see unkind criticism and contempt, or confusion and chaos, realize that it's not the work of Almighty God. And there are more than human factors at work. These four negative C's are instruments of Satan, the great deceiver and father of lies, and his goal is destruction. He avidly works in to destroy relationships: your relationship with God and your relationships with people. He is a constant accuser; sowing doubts, discouragement, and distance wherever possible.
Some families start out so well, but what happens? Why haven't Christians been able to withstand such strong "ocean" currents of criticism, contempt, confusion, and chaos? The answer rests in eternal Truth.
 For our struggle is not against flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the powers of this dark
world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so
that when the day of evil comes, you may
be able to stand your ground, and after you
have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6: 12-13. (NIV)
Warfare in the spiritual and physical realms is a surety of earthly life. Our adversary is not the people in our homes and families. The real enemy is the enemy of God.
Be sober, be vigilant;
Because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion,
walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour...
(I Peter 5:8, KJV.)
There is one God, one Father of Jesus Christ, and one Holy Spirit. Anything else is false in nature and has but one purpose:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal,
and to kill, and to destroy;
I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it more abundantly.
(John 10:10.)
Other negative C's include:
Crime
Carnality
Conflict
Contention
Conspiracy
Corruption
Condemnation
Complacency
The negative C's of this world, the stuff that Satan manifests, steal our resources and disable our ability to love. Love and all the focus that God places upon this action and the associated feelings are often stolen away. And sometimes we aren't even aware of the loss.
These "horrible" or "bad" C's can become gods... because we put so much time and energy into thinking about them. They can actually begin to control our minds and therefore our lives.
Look to Jesus...
In Jesus' life, He didn't let the negative C's rule. He kept His focus on God, His Father. He knew from where His strength and wisdom came. Jesus is our best model for health and normalcy. He is the one to whom we can look for guidance. Don't look at your neighbors or your parents or even your peers. Don't look to your children. Look to Jesus and see how He built a life that proved to be totally sinless. Jesus can be your Captain... you can trust Him to help you experience joy on the voyage and safely reach your destination port.
Look to The Word
The Bible, God's Holy Word, is filled with history, poetry, prophecies, family genealogies, teachings, stories, wisdom, promises and warnings. The Bible shares a particularly calming story of several young men in a boat who begin to fear for their lives when a sudden storm (a tempest) arises. They are literally without hope. Everything is beyond their control. They know they will never make it to shore safely. And then something happens...
Stilling a Storm...
Someone comes along who is more powerful then even a storm. Is that someone able to quiet the storms we may encounter in our lives?
What's the story? What does the Bible say? Here is an encounter with Jesus.
And the same day, when even was come,
He saith unto them,
Let us pass over to the other side.
And when they had sent away the multitude,
They took Him even as He was in the ship.
And there were also with Him other little ships.
And there arose a great storm of wind,
And the waves beat into the ship,
So that it was now full.
And He was in the hinder part of the ship,
Asleep on a pillow;
And they awake Him, and say unto Him,
Master, carest thou not that we perish?
And He arose, and rebuked the wind,
and said unto the sea,
Peace be still.
And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And He said unto them,
Why are ye so fearful?
How is it that ye have no faith?
And they feared exceedingly,
And said to one another,
What manner of man is this,
That even the wind and the sea obey Him?
(Mark 4:35-41, KJV.)
What happened?
CALM
The storms pass. Peace comes. The waters are "glassy". You can see clear accurate reflections… you can contemplate and have vision. You can take a deep breath and relax. Could this be the time to work? The time to make progress? The time to build up a foundation for the future?
In the calm times there might be fog. An "aggregate of minute water droplets" over the marine surface, it greatly reduces the ability to see. Dense fog means visibility of less than ˝ nautical mile.4 Usual foggy conditions mean the air is still and you must somehow keep your bearings to proceed. But it can be confusing. It's easy to get lost when you can't look ahead and see your destination. Modern navigators must depend upon equipment to get them through. Radar guides planes and boats. And sonar helps vessels move through the water alleviating much of the danger of hidden or sunken objects that might cause wrecks.
On land you could depend upon streetlights and roadmaps. But when you're out to sea, special consideration is needed. All people, whether on land or sea have an infallible guide: God's Holy Word. This guide is useful, even in the fog. It is a living and breathing instrument that allows us to know where we are and how to proceed. And it warns of obstacles hidden beneath the surface.
Along the northern coast of Maine, people continue to work even when it's foggy. Wormers walk out through the mud to dig and gather pails of long slimy worms for sport fishing bait. Clamers wait for the lowest tides, and they, too, spend hours bent over and digging in the mud and sand. Lobster boats zigzag across the waters checking their lobster traps, with screaming seagulls hovering above. Draggers scour the bottom of the ocean floor with noisy machines racking through the silt to find choice mussels. Even on a foggy day there are hundreds of people "out there" working. How do they do it? They have ocean charts, sonar, and even radar to help them find their ways home.
Sometimes when it's calm, there can be opportunity for play and joyous celebration. But for the wise person, play comes after the work is completed.
Shore Protection...
A period of calm can be the perfect time for working on your foundations… preparing for the storms. Often there is a real calm right before a storm hits. Build your "sea" wall in the calm of summer, knowing storms will come. This is another lesson we've learned in Maine. Don't leave your flanks exposed to the turbulent seas. Protect your property. There are low cost methods of coastline protection, but if they aren't followed then more expensive methods must be chosen and put into effect. Entire homes can be lost to the sea if bulwarks are not installed. Coastline can actually "disappear" into the relentless encroaching waters.
So be smart! Plan ahead. Put some action to your thoughts. Trust God to give you the abilities needed or the wisdom to know what to do or who to ask for help.
Bill and Karen have used Divine assistance through their marriage. They have also needed calm in the midst of many storms that threatened to capsize their ocean craft. They learned that preparatory work in the calm periods of life really helped them when thunder and lightening and gale force winds arrived.
Discipline and Hard Work...
Along the coast of Maine, it is not known what the ferocity of winter storms will be. But it is understood by everyone that the storms will come. Over the years we have consistently worked at placing rocks and seaweed along the water's edge of our property. This is true low cost shore protection: the ocean supplies everything we use. Except that it takes hours and hours of our time and energy and many pairs of gloves get worn-out and thus discarded. We don't see any storms coming in the warm calm summer days, but we know the more we protect our "investment" the happier we'll be in the years ahead.
But it takes more than just knowledge and concern to get protection for rough weather ahead. It takes discipline. And this means putting muscles into action.
"Nothing was ever achieved without discipline; and many an athlete and many a man has been ruined because he abandoned discipline and let himself grow slack... No one ever reached any eminence, and no one having reached it ever maintained it, without discipline." 5
Proverbs 23:12 states,
Apply your hearts to discipline. (NASB)
This Scripture can be fully understood as implying, put all your heart and mind and soul and strength into discipline, for without it you will fail.
Donald Whitney, in his book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, tells the remarkable story of a young boy named Kevin. Poor Kevin has to stay inside practicing his guitar while all his friends play outside. Such discipline seems like drudgery, until an angel appears and shows the boy an accomplished guitarist on the stage at Carnegie Hall. "The wonderful musician you see is YOU in a few years... But you must practice!" 6
Whitney states the following disciplines: Bible study, prayer, worship, evangelism, service, stewardship, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling, and learning. To prevent their seeming drudgery, direction or focus on Christ as Lord and Messiah is always vital.
And though you admittedly may not be disciplined in every area of your life, you can begin to work on one or two aspects, knowing that beneficial results will always be evident.
What would you do if God appeared and gave you a vision of your future and the difference some hard work could make? Would you be a bit more disciplined in reading or praying or serving?
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
a great cloud ofwitnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so
easily entangles, and let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author
and perfector of our faith...
(Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV.)
What might have been evident in your life if your parents were more disciplined in their speech? Would encouragement instead of criticism have made any difference in your young life? If you had put spiritual disciplines into practice, how would you have been more able to cope with hardships?
During the calm periods of your life, take out some relationship "insurance"... do some disciplined spiritual growth work... and reap the joyful benefits. There will be many people and hosts of heaven rejoicing with you.
Rejoice in the Lord always:
And again I say,
Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto
all men.
The Lord is at hand.
Be careful (anxious) for nothing;
But in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving
Let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding,
Shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4-7.)
Rejoice… be moderate or gentle in your work and walk. Ask in the calm times for God's wisdom and strength; not just when there are storms. Be thankful and learn to live in His peace. Guard your heart and mind in Christ, because storms are coming.
TIDES
If you don't live near the ocean, you may not understand the immensity of a tide and power it has to totally change a landscape. Most everyone know that tides can be high or low... and tides come and go. Tides are never static.
But in some parts of the world, usually the very northern or southern most, many newspapers carry tidal information, so people can plan their work and pleasure activities. With changes in the tides new landscapes appear and new aspects are revealed. Things once hidden come to light. Whole islands can appear and then disappear.
Along most coastlines in the U.S. tides range from 6-12 feet twice a day. But along the shores of Nova Scotia and northern Maine, the Bay of Fundy has tides normally 30-40 feet in height. This makes for big changes and many questions about what to do or how to live with all that mud. Similarly, along the northeast coast of England and into Scotland, if you're traveling by train on a vacation, you might need to check the tide chart to be sure you'll be able to reach your destination. Lindesfarne, or Holy Island, is completely cut off from the coast at high tide. There's no way except by prearranged boat to reach the bed and breakfast establishments, to which you can usually walk or be driven at low tide.
Life has tides or cycles of change, and everyone is affected by this awesome reality. But people and how they work and interact can also affect tides. A high tide can be likened to being on fire for God. When we gather together at camps, retreats or church, we can be filled with such great enthusiasm and love. We feel like we can go out and conquer this world. WOW! Everything is looking rosy.
But then the low tide comes. It's back to reality. The toast is burnt, there's no coffee, and someone just spilt the last of the milk. Depression is there in the mud and sand of low tide. Maybe a job was lost or a friend has died. A beloved person has left you; walked out the door. Maybe there seems to be no purpose in life and questions are asked: "Who am I? What's it all about? What's the meaning of life?"
Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In everything (every circumstance) give thanks:
For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you.
(I Thessalonians 5:16-18.)
In all circumstances give thanks… praying and rejoicing all day long. Along with the other spiritual disciplines, rejoicing and praying can help to minimize the effects of low tides... the mud won't seem to bog you down so much or you'll know when to be watchful.
COASTLINES
Most people who love the sea stay near the coastline. The smell of the salt air, the sound of the waves, the sight of the water enthralls. The day sailors may be out on the water by daylight, but only a very few go "way out" to sea. Land usually represents security. And some people need this security so much that they leave the sea, move inland, and never come back.
Along the coasts are sandy and rocky places. These form the boundaries. And notice how no two places are exactly alike. It's the same with people. The coastlines are affected by the tides, by the storms, by the calm periods. Along the coasts are vast beds of seaweed and marine life. Many factors contribute to the "personality" and shape of the land. Even along the shore of a long beach, the tide line is not perfectly straight. Irregularities over time contribute to the formation of coves and bays, peninsulas and promontories and cliffs. The coastline is never perfectly straight; there are curves and indentations and sand or rock formations that catch our eyes, gain our interest, and inspire our imaginations.
Suppose that you and your family were taking a journey along the coast. What would you expect to encounter? What would you hope to find? Do you want long sandy beaches or small rocky coves? Are you looking to be around a crowd of people or do you prefer an intimate quiet location? Your view of the water could represent and bring insight into many relational aspects within your family.
ISLANDS
The sea surrounds an island. It is a portion of land completely unconnected. Many people think of an island as a peaceful haven: a refuge from all the hectic ways of life. Yes, even a resting place where no evil can be perpetrated. An island could be seen as a place of safety.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden,
And I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
For I am meek and lowly in heart:
And ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy,
And my burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30, KJV.)
An island can seem like a good place to put down burdens. It can be a place for rest and rejuvenation.
Islands also offer insulation. There is time and space between people. It takes extra effort to get on or off an island. The environment is different because of separation.
But most people like and need some sort of connection. Most islands have such connection through various boats, ferries, bridges, power lines, roads, and satellites. We are never totally self-sufficient. There is truth in the statement "no man is an island". We have physical needs that can only be met through the help or assistance of others. Likewise with our social and emotional needs. God, our Creator, made us to be in relationships.
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NOTES
3 All About Oceans and Seas... The Oceans. (2004). www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/ocean/
4 Science Master, Physical Science (2004). Marine and Ocean Weather Glossary. www.sciencemaster.com/physical/item/marine glossary.php
5 Barclay, William (1958). The Gospel of Matthew, Philadelphia, PA: Westminster, Volume 1:284.
6 Whitney, David S. (1991). Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs, CO: Navpress, 16.
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