THIS YEAR'S THEME: WALKING THROUGH FIRE
Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
If you’ve ever been camping, you know the necessity of a good campfire! Fire provides warmth for our bodies, cooks our food (like delicious S’mores), and keeps predators away. Carelessly, we sometimes get too close to the fire and suffer burns. Sometimes too, we allow a useful fire to get out of control, destroying everything good.
Living on the rivers, sounds, and ocean in eastern North Carolina, we likewise know the joys of life on the water. The tumult that surrounds us creates the thrill of sailing and surfboarding as well as the bounty of sustenance that fills nets, crab pots, and our bellies! Sometimes however, we drift past where it’s safe or push the limits and take risks on the water. We also know all too well the ravages of an angry sea due to hurricanes and storms.
None of us escapes the fires and storms of this life. It may even seem that there is more encroaching flame and high water than calm. But, our God has promised that even when the blaze or the swell that is about consume or drown us is due to our own carelessness – or worse, is of our own prideful doing – He is with us; He will help us “walk through fire.” This confidence gives peace knowing that whatever we go through, God has been, is, and will be, with us.
Which leaves us with a question: what do we do? The simple answer is to WALK THROUGH. To follow Him through the difficulty, to say “Yes” just as Mary, our Blessed Mother, said yes! When we give ourselves completely to God and allow Him to do what He wants, we can “pass through the waters.” He loves us so much that he will never abandon us, whom he calls: sons and daughters and, in return, we have the privilege and honor of calling God our Father.
A special thank you to art teacher Ms. Bradsher for creating the beautiful artwork to represent this year's theme!
