There’s something about water. I have always been fascinated by it. Always felt at peace when I’m near it. But simultaneously I’ve always been excited by it. The endless possibilities of it. What could be in there, playing underneath the waves. Basically I’m a water nerd. If you’ve known me for 5 seconds, you knew that. But lately, I’ve been learning that there are other qualities of water that interest me.
Essentially, I hear from God in funny ways near water.
On Hermosa beach in Nicaragua I worshipped and prayed in the waves. While looking out over the stillness of Lake Nicaragua on Ometepe I heard Him in my prayers. With my feet in the creek that ran through the campus at Training Camp, I definitely heard from God. Just this week as I was tossed around like a ragdoll in strong surf on the Pacific. Yet again I heard from God. I think He just strikes my mind while I play around in the water.
I’ve asked Him about my future and the waves picked up harder and faster than they had been. He seemed to be saying “Don’t worry about it. You will go where you need to and when you need to.” He illustrated this by knocking me underwater with a gigantic wave. I’m not in control.
On Lake Nicaragua I sat and prayed for calm and focus. In the stillness of that beautiful, clear night He told me that all was going to be alright. That I should mimic the calm lake, trusting perfectly in His plan.
While running and jumping like a crazy person into the water this past week I heard from Him again. Lately we have been worshipping as a team and one of the songs repeatedly mentioned God as some sort of still water. That He was always calm. I respectfully disagree. As I got sucked underneath the water by a raging wave and spun around as if I was in a washing machine, I had a thought.
Sure, God’s level of calm and understanding can be described as still water. But He’s so much more than that. God is power. Churning water and crashing waves. Unstoppable in His dogged pursuit of us. Have you ever tried to stop a wave? Like seriously tried? It’s impossible. I’m speaking from experience. I tried with my body, my arms, and even my feet (with some kind of drop kicking technique). Nothing worked. In fact, I usually got more beat up because of it. Fighting God is a lot like fighting waves. Not a lot of success in it.
I’m constantly reminded that just letting Him wash over me is the best thing I could do. Let Him take me where He will. Let me be consumed by His power and love. Let me be a part of His mighty wave.
But that’s STILL not all I heard about God while belly flopping on the waves this week.
Have you ever thought about how fun God is? How much He delights in us delighting in His presence? I like to think He is laughing right along with us as we joke and play. That He loves to see us running and enjoying the many amazing things that make up His creation.
I thought about this as I was having an absolute blast playing in the ocean. I must have looked like a 10 year old out there. Running, jumping, and slapping waves. It just made me remember how much fun God's creation is!
I think sometimes we get caught up in the reverence and seriousness of faith. Of religion. We make everything life or death. Do this, don’t do that. God wants this, He doesn’t want that. We wrap Him up in our issues. I think we forget that love doesn’t just mean He saved us and now watches us like a hawk. Making sure we don’t do anything wrong, or making our lives crazy.
He has plans for us, sure. They aren’t always easy. They usually don’t even make sense. But I think He also wants us to enjoy our lives on Earth. To excitedly seek out the places He takes us. To love the fellowship that He provides for us with other believers. To relish the chances to be in His love, but also love what He has done. To go to the ends of the Earth and see what He has made. To stand in awe at the beautiful things and people of this world. And to know where it all came from.
Think about it. When your friends or family are happy, you’re happy. You’re happy that they’re happy because you love them. Why should God be any different?
Letting the waves take me,
Seth
