Matthew 22:29 (ESV)
But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know
neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.
The provinces of New Brunwick and Nova Scotia have one
thing in common: they share the highest tides on our planet. Imagine 100
billion tons of seawater flowing in and out of the Bay of Fundy daily, or, to
put it in terms more easy to understand, 338 983 050 847 457 ten-ounce-glasses
of water. I doubt we could drink that much in a life time! To tell you the
truth, that amount of water is higher than all of our planet's freshwater
combined!
The Bay of Fundy not only experiences a 50 foot tidal
range, which is 5 times higher than the usual tides on the Atlantic coast, but
in some parts of its Bay, the tide retreats as much as 3 miles. And these high
tides and low tides happen, on average, every six hours and 13 minutes.
Scientists have found an explanation for this phenomenon.
These high tides are especially due to resonance and to the shape of the bay.
The water in this Bay has a natural resonance, or rocking motion, which they
call seiche. It's kind of like when we get into the bathtub, and the water
sloshes from side to side for a few seconds. In the Bay of Fundy however, it takes
about 13 hours for the water to "slosh" from the mouth of the bay to
its head and back again. In essence, the Bay of Fundy is like an enormous
bathtub, with the ocean tides invading the bay every 12 hours and 25 minutes
reinforcing this resonance!
The bay's unique shape contributes to the high tides as
well. As the bay becomes narrower and shallower, toward the upper bay (From 426
feet to 131 to be exact.), the saltwater is forced even higher onto the shores.
For many centuries people didn't understand the kind of
power contained by the Bay of Fundy, and even less how to apply such a force in
their daily life. After all, how could having the world's highest tides impact
local lives for the better?
In 1984 the first tidal power station emerged in North
America on the shores of the Bay of Fundy, in Annapolis, Nova Scotia, and since
then, all over the world such tidal power stations are being built. Why?
Because they are one of the most reliable natural resources! As long as we have
a moon and a sun, they will generate electricity!
As Christians, we, too, aren't all that sure how to
access the power provided to us by the Holy Spirit. Sadly, many of us aren't
even aware that God is providing us with such power! But the Bible is specific:
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." (Acts
1:8)
But just as the power in the Bay of Fundy is useless
unless we harness it, we too have to become familiar with the power God has
provided us with.
Unlike the powers in this world, this power strives on
weakness and unselfishness:
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12:9)
It's power, however, is more powerful than all the atomic
bombs in our world: "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be
enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the
riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great
power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty
strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and
seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and
authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in
the present age but also in the one to come." (Eph 1:18-21)
Isn't getting to know Him what it's all about? Remember
there is beauty in suffering as well as in rejoicing, as long as we remain
focused on the One who loves us way beyond reason.
The next time you drink a glass of water, remember: God
has given you power through His Holy Spirit. He is the living water who will
set you free!
Dear Lord, thank You for being the living water. Thanks
for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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