Learning from the waves

     The ocean--so wild and untamed, uncontrollable and vicious. Every crashing wave reminds me of its fierceness by the resounding boom of the mighty water hitting the land. And yet--as I admire its vastness that extends farther than the human eye can see--the deep blue and serenity of the calm horizon are so undaunting, even peaceful. In one, it is a sea of monstrosity and tranquility. Yet how can one expanse be both serene yet provoking? It's like our God--a God of judgement and mercy; both wrath and forgiveness. Such things are too high for me to comprehend . . .
     Yet, as each rolling wave comes crashing in, I am reminded that His love truly does endure forever. He holds the ocean in the palm of His hand. So great is His love for me!
     The waves and the tide hold life lessons in their mysterious continuity. The crashing waves never stop. Sometimes I feel the same way--will some trials ever stop? Do they have to continue crashing in . . . do I even get a break? And then the tide rises. It rises higher than we often envision it can. Like a child who cannot understand how their sandcastle was destroyed by the water when it is now so far back on the seashore that you'd have to run awhile to reach it--how can God possibly deem it necessary to not only bring on the tide, but to let it rise?
     But the crashing waters are not all that occur. What comes after the wave? An immediate calm. Nothing is more comforting to me than to sit on the edge of the tide, letting the water wash over me gently and then watching it recede, crystal clear, rippling its way back into the body of water from which it came. It's like a reassurance. Reassurance that everything will be alright--reassurance that although the tide will come, so it will recede. The oncoming tide can be daunting. The sweet, gentle recession brings nothing but calm. God will not give us anything beyond what we can handle.

    "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you." Ps 139:17,18

      So I sing with Mikeschair in their song, "Let the Waters Rise"--

There's a raging sea, right in front of me. Wants to pull me in, bring me to my knees.  

So let the waters rise, if You want them too. I will follow You--I will follow You!