Lessons Learned from the Shore
"Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small."
— Psalm 104:25 (NLT)
I have been cleaning the photos off my phone and realized I had not made our summer vacation book from this year. As I swiped through pictures, I was reminded of how much I love the shore. The shore, the beach, the ocean — whatever you call it — is the most glorious and peaceful place on our planet. At least that is my opinion. I absolutely love any chance I get to sit on the sandy shore and listen to the waves crash over and over and over. I am the person who can never get enough of being there and takes every chance I get to go back.
One thing can add to the glory of the ocean, and that is to be at the ocean with our grandsons! This past summer I had the privilege of snuggling under the beach umbrella with our newest grandson while he slept, which gave me a lot of thinking and praying time. As I gazed over the blue-green waters and studied the majesty and consistency of the waves rolling in, I realized the ocean had taught me quite a few things about God.
What the Ocean Taught Me
He Never Leaves
The ocean rolls in and out day after day and is constant. It does this whether I am there or not — the ocean never leaves, just as God will never leave us.
He Never Gives Up
The waves roll up onto the shore as if always trying to reach me. They consistently try to catch me — time after time. God will never give up on me.
Even a Little Bit Changes You
Just dipping my toes in the cool water is refreshing, just as dipping into Scripture refreshes my soul. I may not get the full benefit of studying, but His Word always changes me, even in little bits.
A Picture of His People
There is a variety of people doing a variety of things — sitting under umbrellas, surfing, boogie boarding, swimming, walking, sunbathing, and snuggling babies! Such a picture of the beautiful people God created and sent His Son to die for.
Our Choice to Jump In
So many are drawn to the shore, but some do not know what to do with it. Some fear it, some admire it, and some are in awe of it. So many feel this way about God — but it is our choice to embrace Him and jump in fully.
He Is Our Healer
The salt in the ocean is a healer. It can help our skin, sore throats, and heal wounds — just as Jesus is our Healer, internally and externally.
Conviction Stings, Then Frees
The salt can also sting, taste bitter, and burn our eyes, which is what conviction does to us. The thing is, after the sting we can swim again, and we remember not to do the same thing that stung us before.
He Stays the Same
Some have had a bad experience at the beach, but that does not change the fact that the ocean is constant and majestic. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
A Love Without End
I cannot see where the ocean ends, which reminds me of two incredible truths: my sin is so far removed from me that God will never remember it or bring it back to shame me — and His love for me has no ending and will go on forever.
What an awesome God we serve. His creation is an amazing representation of Who He is!