Lessons Learned From The Ocean

Hey Friend,

Majesty:  I had to catch my breath as I gazed upon the majesty of God's creation.  There is something about the ocean that makes me stop in my tracks and simply gaze upon its large expanse.  It extends as far as the mind can imagine.  Only an infinite God could create the infinite expanse of blue-green water my eyes take in.  Without a second thought my heart and soul are drawn into worship.  How awesome is our God.

O Lord, our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth...when I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers... (Psalm 8:1-9)

Constant:  The waters don't ebb and flow just because I'm there.  They've been constant in doing that since God spoke them into existence.  The rhythm of the waves is like a perpetual heartbeat.  The waves crash and release...my mind and heart are drawn into their beating.  So it is with God.

Even when I'm going about my own business, He remains there - constant.  His heart beats out love for me even when I'm sleeping.  Every moment of every day He is there.  The steadiness of the waves reminds me that God was, and is, and always will be.

He never sleeps. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  (Psalm 121:3-4)

Flow:  As I try to walk into the ocean, the waves pound against me.  With each step forward I sense that I am going against the natural flow of things.  Determined, I keep stepping forward, losing my balance, being tossed from side to side.  Beside me I catch a glimpse of seaweed just gently floating with the flow of things.  It's not toiling and striving and forcing its own agenda; it's going with God's natural flow. 

I'm struck by how often I plow forward, often with futility, trying to force my will instead of relaxing and going with the flow of God's will for my life.  "Go with my flow,"  I hear God saying.  His will for me is good.  I need to relax into the flow of His good plans.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  (Jeremiah 29:11)

Washed:  My fiancé and I walk hand in hand along the beach.  I gaze at the footprints of the people who walked before us.  Their footsteps dug into the sand are all but washed away.  I look behind us and our disturbance of the sand has disappeared - leaving not a trace that we were even there.

So it is with the blood of Christ.  Time and time again I sin...footprint after footprint.  Yet in His mercy He washed my sins away and leaves me pure.  No evidence of sin remains.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow.  (Psalm 51:7)

Salt & Light:  As I go to leave - unsure of when I'll see the ocean again, I breath in the salty air and squint my eyes in the light reflecting off the sand and surf.  Like a benediction, I can almost hear God saying, "Go be salt and light in this dark world."

"You are the salt of the earth...you are the light of the world."  (Matthew 5:13-14)

I tuck my lessons away in my heart and bid the ocean farewell.  Knowing I've caught a glimpse of God and Heaven, my heart is light.  Till I see you again...

Love,

Bev