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Summer 2008 Web Devotionals
SURF'S UP!!
In case you haven't noticed it yet,
life is not perfect
and sometimes bad things happen to perfectly good
people! If you are anything at all like me,
from time to time you have had to ask the questions,
"Is bad stuff part of God's will for my life?!"
"Does God send ‘bad stuff' into the lives of His
children?
I love the beach – and would absolutely live there
if I could. I have actually asked Jesus if
my home in Heaven could have a beachfront address!
I love the sun and the wind ... the smell of the ocean
and of sun tan lotion! I love the feel of hot,
scratchy sand between my toes. I love
sitting in my beach chair and watching children build
sand castles while teen-agers strut by. There
is nothing better than observing seagulls soar high
above my head and then see entire families jump the
waves.
I love the beach ... but surfing?! Not on your
life! Who in the world would desire to defy
gravity, the wind, and water? Waves are moving
waters that have been influenced strongly by earthquakes,
storms and strong winds. Me? Try to walk
on that?! I don’t think so!
Surfing is defined as "the moment in time when
you take what you have in your hand and then use
it to defy the power of the ocean." You use what
has been given to you to ride above what gravity
and science predict; to soar over what has been caused
by the storms and earthquakes in your life.
What is
this in your hand that you have been given? What is it that can cause
a Christian to defy their circumstances and to soar above the forces of gravity? Can
we really walk on water today? In the 21st. Century?!
The power
for walking on water and for sailing through the gales of life comes from the
Holy Spirit. As you surrender your life to the Holy Spirit and to His
strength, you will find yourself, as Peter did, walking across the water in
the midst of the storm.
Surfing serves as a metaphor for
life and its ultimate lesson: Can you stand
calm, amidst the chaos and take a bite out of joy?
“Now may the God of hope fill you
with all joy and
peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
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