Copies and Shadows and Parallels

[HKHaugan]

A few years back we took a river cruise from Vienna, Austria to Amsterdam, Holland. It was a magnificent trip along the Danube and Rhine rivers. Along the way we went through about 80 locks, water cages with gates that open to take in water to raise and lower from one elevation to another since you go up through hills from Vienna and down through others to Amsterdam. You spend some time in each lock as the water rises or falls to get you through the next elevated area. When the lock empties or fills the gates open at the next level and you proceed to the next lock. Along the way you stop in towns, listen to different languages, see the sights, meet people, dine on the boat and partake of the local color. When we got to Amsterdam we were driven to one of the most beautiful sights in the entire world, the Keukenhof Gardens, the most expansive multi-colored tulip spread I have ever seen. It was breathtaking to say the least. We were held in the embrace of its beauty, transfixed by the elegance of this flowery kingdom.

The canal trip reminded me that we are all traveling on one river or another and each involves passing over hills and through valleys. But there are stopping points along the way that are either rising or falling and the only way you can continue is to open and close the gates, open the one ahead and close the one behind. Unless a gate opens you are stuck in place and sometimes you wait until the boat in front goes through.

The stopping places, the locks, remind me of the strongholds that need opening so that you can move on to enjoy the river, its towns and villages and the people you meet along the way. Each of us has a personal language that moves our heart and we hope to find the words along the way to open up to everyone we meet. In order for that to happen there are extended stopping points where spiritual and emotional gates need opening and closing during stopping points to flush out the past and open to the future in every next moment. Then when you arrive at your spiritual destination it takes your breath away and time is distilled in eternity.

What gate, door or portal needs to be opened today to pave the way, clear the path, purge the heart? “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him (Is.40:3).”