A Life Lesson from the Ocean

The thing about the ocean is that there is ALWAYS another wave. 

Just like with life, some waves are good and bring joy while others can bring sadness and pain.

But there is ALWAYS another wave.

When we went to the beach recently, Shep ran straight to the water. He stood and waited for each passing wave. When the wave came, he shouted, "yay!!" Sometimes, the waves would overtake him. The water would clear his head and saltwater filled his mouth. I would have thought that the strong waves would make him fearful, but they did not. He trusted us to help him back up and then he stood waiting with excitement for the next wave. 

I wish I could live like that. 

Lately, I have been struggling with fear of what the next wave will bring. It is easy for me to spend my time at the edge of the water just thinking about what MIGHT happen instead of walking into the water and relying on the peace of God's presence to get me through the waves of life.

One of my favorite devotionals is Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. An excerpt from the devo for May 19th said:

"When you forget I am with you, you may experience loneliness or fear. It is through awareness of my presence that peace displaces negative feelings. Practice the discipline of walking consciously with me through each day."

The way I see it, we have choices. We can either sit on the edge of the sand and be bystanders of life. Or, we can walk into the water and fully live. I want to choose to live FULLY. I want to practice the discipline of walking consciously with God through each day and to rely on Him to give me peace. 

Have you read the antonyms for fear? They are assurance, faith, calmness, peace, encouragement, ease, contentment, love, courage, joy, and happiness. I want to live like that! After all, the thing about the ocean is that there is always another wave. 

Psalm 29:11

"The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace."

Today, I am going to claim that peace as I walk into the ocean and wait for the next wave. 

And when I forget (and I probably will forget), I am going to remember that my redeemer lives by playing this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH0Mc7zn4vc.

Hope floats,

Meg