Sea Beans

Quoted from Think Magazine

For the most part I strive to use original material in the space allotted me every week in our bulletin.  From time to time I do get ideas from articles I read and frequently quote from what others have written but, in the main, I prefer to write from the heart—from me to you.  But occasionally I come across something that strikes such a note with me I want to share it with you in full.  This week is such a time as that.  I hope you enjoy this piece from Tim Frizzell.

Last fall my wife Janie and I visited with some friends, near Gulf Shores, Alabama.  While enjoying walks on the beach one of our friends introduced us to sea beans.  These brown nuts are hearty seeds that grow on high climbing vines.  Sea beans are native to South America and the West Indies.  The seeds often fall into rivers such as the Amazon and float out to sea.  They may float along the ocean currents for years before coming ashore.  After all that time the sea beans can actually sprout into a plant.

I understand that it is fairly rare to find these sea beans so we were surprised when Janie found several on our beach strolls.  As we would pick up a sea bean we would wonder how far that seed had traveled and how long the journey took.  There are times in our lives when we feel like we are just drifting along in the current longing for something significant to happen in our lives.  At such times it is hard to be patient and wait.  We struggle to trust God and put our lives in His hands.  The teenager waits impatiently for the privileges of adulthood.  The single persons wonders, “When will I find my life mate?”  The parent wonders, “When will my child grow out of this annoying stage?”  A couple wonders, “When will we make it through these financial struggles?”  The sick person wonders, “When will I be well again?”  We all wonder, “When will I stop falling for Satan’s traps?”

When we feel like sea beans drifting in the current, we need to recall the patience of our spiritual heroes.  For example, Abraham waited 25 years for the fulfillment of God’s promise that he would have a son with Sarah.  That is a long time to wait, especially when you feel life is passing you by.  Imagine how Joseph felt about his life while sitting in the pit or in the Egyptian jail.  He continued to trust God and was rewarded.  Did Moses ever wonder while tending sheep in the wilderness for 40 years, “Where is my life going?”  It must have seemed to be going nowhere, but God had a plan for Moses, and the wilderness was a time of preparation.  How Job struggled with his pain, grief, and humiliation!  Yet in due time he was blessed richly by God.

When we struggle with impatience, let us be reminded of two beautiful Scriptures: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7).

In the love of Christ,

Thomas Sneed

Pond Church of Christ