SCARS IN THE DEEP PLACES

I really like whales.

You'd think that living this close to the Pacific Ocean, that I might have gone whale-watching. I haven't yet. How come? Well, to be honest, I get seasick.

I've tried wearing those little wrist bracelets that are supposed to help. They do, actually. And I've tried medication. That also helps – but usually at the cost of just making me sleep the whole adventure away.

So, I've not had the joy of seeing a whale in real life.

Except for Sea World, which in my opinion doesn't really count.

There's this really interesting video on YouTube that I watched recently. It's taken by a guy out in the ocean on his kayak. He has a *close encounter* with a blue whale. Oh my. It's spectacular viewing! Utterly awe-inspiring.

Whales are so very cool.

But they do not swim alone in the ocean depths.

I remember watching a documentary about giant squids. Legend has often mentioned a terrifying creature from the depths of the ocean that plagued ancient whalers. But, until recently, there have never been any photos of the elusive giant. And so, this enemy has long been doubted to even exist.

This documentary changed all that – these scientists captured it on film.

Fascinating.

The giant squid is the primary enemy of the sperm whale. And during this documentary, they also showed some footage of a swimming sperm whale. Let me tell you – its skin was covered with scars. Some were long slashes, some were short gashes – and in some areas, there were these odd, round-shaped scars.

Tentacles and suction cups.

That's what they were. Scars from undersea battles with the giant squid. An enemy that has been doubted to even exist – until lately.

It got me thinking.

The ocean is a deep and mysterious place.

And somewhere in its eerie and silent depths, the sperm whale has done battle with a fearsome enemy. It has the scars to prove it.

As I pondered this, it occurred to me that it's no different in our own lives. Like battle-weary warriors, we bear the scars of battles that we have fought with our fearsome enemy.

And the worst battles have happened in the deep places – in the depths of our souls. The places that are mysterious to everyone, except for us and God.

Easy battles require spiritual band-aids. Easy battles are nothing more than the little cuts and bruises that regular life seems to bring on a fairly regular basis. We all have those. They don't usually leave scars.

But, oh – the other battles.

The battles with silent despair, or consuming grief, or overwhelming fear – those battles are waged in the deep and mysterious places. Those are battles that no one knows about. Battles that we fight alone…

Battles that we win because we are NOT alone.

I am reminded of that great and majestic sperm whale. Doing what it's supposed to do. Swimming – free and unencumbered – in the beautiful and shining sea.

Yes, it has done battle.

It has been to the deep places – and faced battles that no one will ever see. But it has come out of those confrontations alive! Wearing scars that have been dearly won, it swims as the king of the ocean.

Strong, undeterred, glorious.

Yes, I want to swim like that.

And it's possible – all because of some other scars that were won in the deep places.

Jesus and the ancient foe.

In a battle waged in the deepest place of all – a place separate from the Father – a place that was darker than we will ever know – Jesus fought and won.

He has the scars to prove it.

And because of Him, I can fight alongside Him in my deep places.

I can win my fearsome battles against the enemy.

I can come out eternally alive.

And I can swim, free and unencumbered, in the beautiful and shining sea of His Love.

Strong, undeterred, glorious.

Forever, His scars will cover mine.

Do you have any scars from battle in the deep places?

I am linked today with The Beauty In His Grip - just "SHARING HIS BEAUTY"

(SIDENOTE: I have been recognized by Joan at Reflections of His Grace. It is my tremendous honor to have been given this very thoughtful gesture. Thank you, Joan, for thinking of me - and I am humbled by your kind words.

Won't you please visit Joan's blog - she is a friend who is dear, kind, and the best to me)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"