Beyond the Shifting Sands: A Reflection on Trusting the Creator’s Path
By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
Human nature can feel so delicate, almost like glass. Our thoughts, desires, and yes, even our moods, ebb and flow like waves on a shore, constantly reshaping how we view our lives and shifting the hues of our outlook. One moment, we feel purpose driving us forward, and the next, doubt and disappointment seem to sneak in, blurring the vision we once held so clearly. Yet, amidst this ever-changing tide, there’s something strong, constant, and true an enduring path crafted by the Creator, waiting for us to see its wisdom, no matter where our hearts or heads might be.
As Stevie Nicks so poignantly wondered in Landslide, “Can I sail through the changing ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life?” Her lyrics touch a deep chord, don’t they? They capture that feeling we all know—the ground beneath us shifting, old certainties slipping away, and realizing we might not know where the journey is taking us after all. Emotions, like tides, rush in and out, shaping how we see ourselves and everything around us. But in these moments of inner turbulence, how do we find steady ground?
It's easy, sometimes dangerously so, to follow our moods and let them guide us. How often have we mistaken a fleeting feeling for direction, grasping at meaning in a momentary high or sinking into despair as if it were the final truth? I’ve wandered down that path more times than I can count, letting my heart be tugged by a passing feeling. But then, something always pulls me back—a quiet reminder that it’s not my mood that should dictate my path, but the Creator’s unwavering purpose. If I rely only on my own shifting emotions, I risk losing sight of the solid ground that was there all along, the ground that’s been waiting to guide me.
Just like Stevie’s words reflect, there are moments when we catch our reflection in the “snow-covered hills” of our lives and realize that all our fears and ambitions are part of something far beyond our understanding. Our journey, however small it might seem from our limited perspective, is being guided by hands far wiser than our own. Trusting in this divine plan means surrendering, even when things feel uncertain or motivation feels scarce. This is where faith true, unshakable faith steps in. It’s a faith that holds fast to the Creator’s purpose, even when it doesn’t seem to match our mood or the moment.
When we lean on this greater plan, we tap into a strength beyond our own. Choosing to rise above our emotions, to stay anchored even when the seasons of life turn harsh or unforgiving, is where true resilience is born. And as we surrender, layer by layer, the doubts and fears that weighed us down slip away, much like landslides giving way to clearer paths.
Every time I feel the weight of life’s shifting seasons bearing down, I find solace in pausing, in reconnecting with the Creator. Sometimes, it’s through prayer, other times through meditation, or even in a moment of silent stillness. I remind myself that I’m part of a vast, intricate design, each moment in my life just a thread in a tapestry that I can’t yet fully see. And by grounding myself in this truth, I gain the strength to step forward again, not swayed by the ups and downs of my own emotions but steadied by a faith that the Creator’s plan is always guiding me toward growth, clarity, and peace.
To anyone out there feeling the pull of ever-changing moods, or weighed down by the shifting sands of life, I offer this reminder: the Creator’s purpose for you is far more enduring than any passing emotion. Release the urge to follow whatever feels good right now, and instead, take hold of the steady hand that’s guiding you. Choose to follow the path set before you, even when the way seems unfamiliar or dark. In doing so, you’ll find a faith that grounds you, a purpose that drives you forward, and a peace that endures, standing tall through all the seasons and landslides life brings.
My favorite song is
Landslide by Stevie NICKS.
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