The Ocean

While blogging is a new adventure for me, I have been writing quarterly articles for Buchanan Church of God's newsletter for almost 3 years now.  As I prepared for my February article, I reflected on how this all started.  I was inspired in my quiet time one day, and felt a deep desire to share what God had laid on my heart.  So here it is (again for some of you) in electronic form! 

The Ocean

Do you ever feel like you are drowning? Like you’re in the ocean, trying desperately to tread water, while the waves of life thrash you from side to side? You look frantically for help—a raft, a lifeboat, anything that could come and save you.  But is there really any hope? You are alone in your ocean of troubles. The work, the bills, the house, your family, even church activities seem like another wave tossing you around in the water.  You think for a moment, as you gasp for air, “Maybe this is it. Maybe I should give up and let the waves overwhelm me. After all, underneath the surface, the water is calm. “ 

And right before you let yourself go, just as you are about to drown in your sorrow, you see Him. He grabs your arm and He pulls you out of the waves.  Before you can realize how, there you are, standing on the ocean water with Jesus. He wraps His arms around you, and the ocean is placid.  The water is as calm as a warm bath, reflecting all of the glorious light from His face.  And He asks you, “Will you walk with me?”  You think for a moment, because you’re scared.  This is the same water we’re talking about here—the water that almost took your life.  And really, who can walk on water anyways? You almost say no, realizing you’ll fall to the deep dark bottom of the ocean bed. But then you look at His eyes.  You see His beautiful face.  You feel His glowing warmth wrapped around your cold body.  You hear His loving voice. You sense His forgiving grace.  And you say, “Yes, I’ll walk with you. But I don’t know how.”  He looks deep into your eyes and says, “I do, My love.  I have walked these waters.  I was born into this ocean to experience these waves, to be tempted by the darkness, to know what you went through. I’ve felt the waves, but I can calm the sea.  You can walk on the water, too, but only if you walk with Me.  I love you, no matter how many times this ocean has overwhelmed you.  I came to this ocean to pay a price for your soul.  Now, you can be redeemed and taken from the waves into the light.  You do not need to fear the water, because I command it when you walk with Me.  But you must give Me your burdens and give Me your trust.  Then, you will find life is not as exhausting as the waves have made it.  If you walk beside Me and hold My hand, you will find rest for your soul.  You will find peace on this beautiful crystal sea of life.” 

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 Matthew 11:28-30

Photos taken at Santa Rosa Beach, FL