It was a very pleasant summer scene. A jetty jutted well out into the harbour, and the people were sitting along its sides bathing their feet in the cool water. Some lay back soaking in the sunshine, and others sat chatting to one another in relaxed friendliness. There were some with little fishing rods too, who now and again cast their lines out into the water.

Nearby on the water was a raft. On this people also sat with their feet in the cool water, some laying back bathing in the enjoyable warmth of the sun, and others just sitting and sharing amicable conversation. The picture of the jetty and that of the raft appeared to be almost identical. There appeared little difference in the attitude and experience of people either on the jetty or on the raft.

One could be forgiven for wanting this kind of life-style to go on forever. There seemed to be not a worry or care anywhere among these favored folk. This was the life!

Then as I watched, the tide began to move with amazing rapidity. In almost no time at all the raft was way out in deep water. On the jetty the people seemed unaware of the change of the tide, even though their feet were no longer in the water, because of which they seemed to be becoming uncomfortably warm. Their bait wasn't reaching the water either, but they continued to go through the motions of casting out their lines. They seemed to be content to do that even though it was a futile exercise.

I became aware that from time to time the water rose around the jetty and for a while those on it were refreshed by the coolness of the water as their feet bathed in it. And then the tide would go out again.

Nearby there were several other jetties. On these some folk felt justifiably proud that their jetty jutted further out into the tide than did the first one I saw. There was one jetty where the source of pride was simply that it had been the first to be built in the area. The fact that other jetties went further out into the current meant nothing at all to those sun-bathing on it. On all of these jetties without exception the refreshing was tidal, and therefore occasional rather than continual.

A statement flooded my mind concerning the raft: "Committed to the tides of God." There was movement out there that was controlled by the tide and not by those who were on the raft. It was clear to me that these folk were enjoying a continuing refreshment linked to their feet staying in the water regardless of the motion of the currents.

When this vision was shared with a group of friends one exclaimed, "John, there's no security on the raft!"

"You are right," I replied, "if you want security that is based on a man-made structure, or on apparent sameness, or on being in a position where you can walk off when you choose to do so, then security is only found on the jetty.

But I knew that God was calling His people to a raft-style living in which security is found in walking in the will of God and in being totally controlled by the Holy Spirit, responsive to the tides of God, and without setting the pace or direction of our own lives.

My commitment is unreservedly to that kind of life-style so that by God's grace, when I pass on there will be no derelict structure on the shoreline and no debris from human construction efforts. It is not in my heart to leave an organization or system that others will struggle to maintain and keep striving to breathe new life into. Whatever man builds will pass away. Jetties become derelict and being stuck on them become inhibiting and stultifying.

What God builds will last forever. And He will not renew what He did not build.

We would do well to ponder the contrast between structures men build by their own skill and effort compared with those elevations raised up by God, in this Scripture: "In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill."'

Is there indication here of dire danger involved in organization and structure established by man? Is there indication that ultimately the water of life and the flow of the Spirit will only be from the scene where God has sovereignly been at work raising up that which will only glorify Him? Isn't it God's purpose to bring into being living organisms rather than humanistic organizations where man is able to direct and control all that takes place?

Perhaps this is something of the significance of: "After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent, and I will restore it... says the Lord, who does these things that have been known for ages."

Surely this is stating that God's heart is not towards the externalism of the grandeur of Solomon's temple, but rather towards the simplicity, mobility and emphasis of a location for the presence and glory of God which David's tent symbolizes.

Oh for a personal life, and oh to be part of a church where His presence in glory is the one outstandingly notable feature! O God, my God, please hasten the day when this shall be reality! Amen.

From the vision of the jetty and the raft let me call you away from a life of deadening predictability to a life of constant refreshing and high adventure in the Holy Spirit.

When we first shared this vision a brother perceived, "There are only special seasons when the raft is close enough to the jetty for people to leap on board." In the fragrance of precious moments in which the Holy Spirit was speaking very tenderly and very powerfully, he added, "This is the moment for me! I am now leaping on board the raft. I commit myself to a life of responsiveness to the Holy Spirit, lead me where He will."

Perhaps this is just such a moment for you as you read this. Don't delay! Leap for the raft! You will always be glad you did. So will your Lord, Jesus Christ, the One worthy to be highly exalted for ever and ever. Amen and amen!