Blue Waters

It used to be that on my way to worship at Eastside I had to cross over some of the busiest train tracks in the country. Invariably, whenever I was challenged to be on time I would find myself delayed even further while having to wait for a train. Often my patience was tested by multiple trains, as two sets of tracks allowed for simultaneous westbound and eastbound rail traffic. If I counted 6 or more engines, I could count on 150 to 200 rail cars… sometimes moving at what seemed to be a snail’s pace. I’m sure God was trying to teach me patience, or maybe better time management, or… how to deal with frustration. 

Now, however, a new bridge carries me over that busy rail line and my travel to and from church is much more predictable. It’s a very nice bridge that affords me a view of Anaheim Lake below and just to the west.

Anaheim Lake was originally opened in 1969 by the Orange County Water District. The Lake quickly became one of the most popular fishing spots in all of Southern California. There are over 2.5 miles of shore line, which used to allow you to drive right up and fish next to your car with easy access to the water. There are up to 75 surface acres of water with three islands in the lake that used to provide excellent fishing possibilities from rental boats or privately launched boats. The Lake used to provide a real country atmosphere in a metropolitan area. There used to be lots of big green trees around the lake, that provided shade from the hot summer sun and there were many areas of shady grass for lounging or a cool summer picnic. The Lake was closed in 1990 and now the entrance is chained up and the few buildings appear to be in a rather sad state of disrepair.

From street level, peering through the fencing, Anaheim Lake appears to be empty; 2.5 miles of dirt road that surrounds a big hole. But from the bridge, you can see that, even after 7 years of drought, there is still some water in Anaheim Lake. Most of the time, the water just looks to be a muddy puddle at the bottom of what now seems to be just a collection basin. To be honest, you have to look pretty hard to see it at all. But when I cross the bridge around 4 pm every Saturday on my way to worship at Eastside, something miraculous happens… the muddy puddle transforms into a beautiful blue lake; a shimmering, gleaming, glowing azure jewel!

Whether it is refraction, reflection, or absorption of certain wavelengths of light by the water, it all has to do with light from the sun. What I know for certain is that my eye is drawn to the lake when it’s a beautiful blue, and I hardly notice it when it just looks like a non-descript puddle. When the light of the sun shines through the lake in just the right way, it is beautiful and inviting. Sadly, it’s fenced off and makes no impact on its surrounding communities.

When we follow Jesus, as in Luke 11:36, and allow ourselves to be full of God’s light…

“Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”

…then we will be as the Lord commands us in Acts 13:47…

“I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”

But no matter how brightly you shine, no matter how great your light, it can reach no one if it is walled off behind the closed doors of a church. Make sure that besides your praise and worship that you build community and unleash compassion in your neighborhood and the world.

Don’t be fenced in. Open your gates, be the light in your community, and provide the comfort and rest and light to the ends of the earth.

Come join us this weekend at one of our Eastside campuses for praise and worship, and so much more.

Your brother in Christ,

Dave