Riding the Waves

One of the online devotional resources I read posed an interesting question this week: “How much discipline and practice does it take to ride a wave?” There was a picture of a man in a rash guard and board shorts riding out the end of a wave on his surfboard. He wasn’t doing any spectacular tricks. From the picture it didn’t seem to be particularly beautiful day or especially interesting surroundings. It was just a picture of a man on a board in a sea of foam.

If you have been out to the pier at Tybee, perhaps you have spent time watching the surfers practice their sport. They come dressed for the conditions. They carry their boards to the water. They paddle out to the deep. And then they wait. And they wait.

They look out into the vastness of the ocean for a wave. It is quite ironic, really; because all you can see when you look out into the ocean is waves. But they are looking for the wave that will carry enough energy to carry them and their board on the short ride from their place in the surf toward the beach.

When they spot such a wave, the real action begins. They scramble around, start paddling, and (if they have timed their efforts just right) they stand to their feet as they accelerate down the slope of the wave as it moves toward the shore.

Now let me take you back to the question: “How much discipline and practice does it take to ride a wave?” I imagine it takes quite a bit of both; but it also seems that whoever is willing to commit themselves to the practice and the discipline can succeed in riding the waves.

You don’t have to be a certain age. You don’t have to pass an intelligence test. You don’t have to have a certain body type. You just have to be willing to commit to practice the habits that lead to the ability to ride the waves; and you have to do it day after day.

As we move toward the end of this season of Lent, let me encourage you to stay committed to the disciplines that will carry you along on your journey to hope. Even the waves of the ocean pale in comparison to the power of God that is moving all around us.

May you experience the thrill of riding the wave of God’s awesome power—a power so great that it restores sight to the blind, heals the sick, and brings the dead to life.