Between The Waves

 

The waves represent the big milestones in our lives. Getting married, going to law school, and finding a job just to name a few. 

 

If we spend all of our time between the waves/milestones standing still and bracing ourselves for the next wave, we will never get there. And what’s worse, you’ll move backwards.

 

While surfing in El Salvador on my 23rd birthday God hit me with this revelation. 

 

I knew immediately that it was from God and that it was going to be relevant to my life for more than just this season.

 

On that bright and sunny day in the Pacific Ocean, I found myself gaining a lot of ground…in the wrong direction. I wanted to hold my surf board just right so I could lift it over the wave (ironically) so that I wouldn’t be pushed further toward the shore. So I would stand still and position myself just right and forget that I needed to move further into the ocean if I ever wanted to get far enough out to catch a wave. I did this over and over again. After I conquered one wave, I would begin preparing for the next. Let me tell you, I had to prepare for a lot more waves than if I would have kept moving forward.

 

 

 

If we lived life with eyes wide open, I think we would naturally gravitate toward our next goal. The key is to not put too much of your focus on the future. Yes, there is a time and a place to prepare and plan for the future, but don’t let it overwhelm you so much that you miss the beauty of what’s right in front of you.

 

As the race comes to an end, I could easily slip into this pattern of waiting and preparing. I could spend all of my free time preparing for home by looking at new cars to buy, finding a job, or having a whole bunch of good’ole freak out sessions about how hard and different home is going to be. To be honest, I’ve already had a few of those panic sessions and that’s okay, but I don’t want to stay there. There’s no denying that home is going to be REALLY different and REALLY hard. I won’t have this constant community that I’ve had for the past 11 months or sleep next to people who I’ve shared countless memories with. No one around me will understand why I can’t stop putting toilet paper in the trash can, my fear of tap water or my constant fascination over the fact that everyone around me speaks the same language that I do.  

 

But God is still moving right here in Nicaragua and if my only focus is home, then I’ll miss out. God is still using me to love the people I am with for the last 19 days, to do random acts of kindness for strangers who don’t speak the same language as me and to pour my heart and soul into the girls that our a part of our ministry. 

 

 

 

Don’t worry, I figured out the whole surfing thing soon enough and was able to ride a few waves. And I’m figuring out how to balance staying present on the race while still being realistic about the things I need to prepare for before I go home. I’m making sure not to pass up any opportunities that Nicaragua has to offer while also making my own opportunities along the way. 

 

To all of my readers, I challenge you to find a tangible way to keep moving forward in your life. Whether that’s applying to go back to school, making a to-do list of your goals or even just speak your dreams out loud to a friend who will keep you accountable to achieve them. And as you are doing these things, don’t forget to be fully present where God has you. The trials and experiences you are going through right now are preparing you for your next step, don’t overlook them.