My Refuge

     Family and friends have often inquired as to why my husband and I drive 8 hours to reach St. George Island for a family vacation.  I smile and say it is "our happy place".  Located in the panhandle of our long state, this barrier island is known as "the forgotten coast".  White sand beaches, beautiful ocean panorama, and our favorite little sand crabs make this place unique and special in my heart.  Surprisingly, many Floridians don't know where St. George is located because we are a state filled with many lovely beaches.  However, for my husband and I, it is a refuge of sorts.  A place where our souls drink in the quiet beach that we have come to visit for many years.
 
   In reality, I think everyone has some special place they enjoy making a retreat to from time to time.  My in-laws loved a special fishing camp in Ignace, Ontario Canada that they went to for many years.  Certainly, it would not have been the only place to go and get away but for them, it too was a sort of refuge from the every day pressures.
     While vacation spots are much loved places to slow down, there is one Refuge we have with us all the time and everywhere we go and that is our Lord Jesus Christ.   One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 32.  David wrote this beautiful Psalm to contemplate sin, confession and forgiveness with the Lord.  Vs. 7-11 read:
    " 7You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.

10Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
11Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!"


There is no better description of God's tender care and love for us than this.  He is our hiding place where we can run any time of day or night.  He is our "shalom", our blessing, our deliverer, and He preserves us from trouble.  David knew this all too well for there were many occasions when he turned to the Lord in time of need.
     Furthermore, the Psalm assures us that the Lord will instruct us, counsel us and guide us by the power and indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  What a comfort for us!  When Jesus ascended to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to live and dwell with those who believe.  While friends may let us down, the Lord will stay with us forever.
     Unlike the wicked who will experience sorrow for their sins, those who come to God in full repentance will know His love.  This kind of relationship is special and it reminds me of how my earthly father would always make room for me to sit in his easy chair at night with him while he watched the news.  God has time, room and love for us who follow Him.  That is why we can call Him our refuge.

Cape St. George Lighthouse

     On St. George Island, in the middle of the 28 mile long barrier island, stands the Cape St. George lighthouse.  It is not the original which was built in 1833 and then rebuilt in 1845.  Once again, it was claimed by a hurricane and had a third rebuilding.  The structure lasted 153 years before the Gulf of Mexico claimed it again.  Now, it is not a working lighthouse but a replica of the one that for many years provided light for mariners to show them the way home.  For Christians, our lighthouse, our refuge is found in the Lord Jesus Christ.  He points the way home for us as we walk in this world.  Let us never forget that He longs to fellowship with us daily and in our busy world, He provides the place of rest we need.  Selah!