It starts out peaceful, then slowly progresses into a louder and more complex melody (Kinda something like my life at points). But one thing that sticks out to me in it is the constant melody in the bass clef that holds it all together, just like how God has always been underneath, holding me together in the chaos.
As I was thinking about it the other day during practice, a scene from Finding Nemo came to mind: Dory & Marlin swim over the trench instead of through it and run into the jellyfish. What started out as small and innocent danger grew into danger on every side. The same is true with our lives, what seems like just one little struggle slowly grows into many that start to surround us on every side.
This picture can express kinda how we feel at those times, like there is no way of escape; probably because we are trying to do it on our own.
I love Marlin in this scene. He is so protective of Dory, knowing the danger that could come upon them, but he is also determined to find a way to face these jellyfish (or struggles, for our own lives) and come out alive, even if he has to carry Dory to the end.
I think this same thing is true for our lives. We have to realize that struggles are inevitable, but we have a God (like Marlin) who cares about us and wants to see us come out the other side. And when we do, we will be able to turn around, look at what we came through, and thank Him for HIS power and might.
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed..."
2 Corinthians 4:7-9
So here's to show that God can use anything to teach us what He longs for us to know about Himself. So keep your heart open. This is a truth that I am constantly working through in my life, and just when I take one step forward, I seem to take two steps back. But I'm encouraged by God's Word that He will be the one coming in, picking me up, and carrying me out of those jellyfish into clear water.
Thank you Marlin and Dory for showing me what joy through struggle looks like.
"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us"
Romans 8:37
Jenna's Journal
