Avulsion- “the rapid abandonment of a river channel and the formation of a new river channel”.
Merry Monday by Parris Bailey
“For the Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest” Josh 3:15
I am sure all of us are still in recovery mode from Hurricane Isaac that just blasted through our area. While walking through “the fly” (area of Audubon Park)I found myself contemplating the Mississippi river. We know that rivers are used for transportation and in the book of Joshua, the Jordan was spiritually significant to the Israelites. Crossing the Jordan started a new season for them, 40 years wandering in the wilderness to now entering the Promise Land. The Lord told Joshua to have the Israelites cross the Jordan at flood stage. Some of us had to evacuate many areas throughout our parish because of overtopping of the levees, dams on the verge of breaking and here we read of God telling them to cross at this moment! Barnes says,”No human agency then known and available could have transported them speedily and safely from bank to bank.” God was not only telling them He wanted to be their guide but also provide for them as he had promised. Is. 33:21 “But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.” As I try to wrap my head around a hurricane that hit exactly to the day seven years after Katrina made land fall, I feel He wants to do the same for all of us. Overflow our banks with His supply and bring us to our promise.
Here is something interesting about the Mississippi river- “Some geologists have noted that the possibility for course change into the Atchafalaya exists in the area immediately north of the Old River Control Structure. Army Corps of Engineers geologist Fred Smith once stated, “The Mississippi wants to go west creating an avulsion, in 1973 there was a forty-year flood. The big one lies out there somewhere—when the structures can’t release all the floodwaters and the levee is going to have to give way. That is when the river’s going to jump its banks and try to break through. Geologists consider the next major change in the course of the Lower Mississippi now overdue. Either of two new routes – through the Atchafalaya Basin or through Lake Pontchartrain — might become the Mississippi’s main channel if flood-control structures are overtopped or heavily damaged during a severe flood. However, the Mississippi returned to its present course following the great floods in 2011.” Wikipedia
I feel we have been living in some pretty interesting times and I am thankful that God has placed Victory Fellowship right smack where the river is. Yes, let’s let this spiritual river jump it’s banks and let the levees of our hearts give way- Since storms seem to be a part of my life I must learn to face these challenges and let the river take me to it’s desired haven because he is the captain after all. Let’s cross this river in flood-stage and let God be our supply just like he has promised!