Walking With The Waves
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“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
Recently I spent a week at the beach. Each morning I ran on the beach. Some mornings, I ran more in the water than on the sand because of the high tide. I was slower when the waves pounded the shoreline and I had to run through them. I had a purpose to keep going and not stop and was mindful of timing my run. The sounds of the water hitting against the shore overpowered any noises of the people or the world around me. I watched the sun rise and the day begin in all of God’s glory on the beach. Clouds added to the color of the morning sky. It was a time to worship and praise God as I ran.
Later in the day when we just strolled the beach, I could stop and wait for the powerful waves to come in before I walked forward. I was just enjoying the water, the waves and the sunshine and could take my time. I had no time restraints or focus except to enjoy the moments on the beach and soak up the sunshine.
There have been many stories written about the waves and its analogy to life and grief. Let me add a few thoughts from my current perspective. The waves, like life, keep coming. They never stop and even become stronger and more intense at times. When we face the waves straight on, we see them approaching at a distance and can prepare for them – either by bracing for the hit, running back onto the shore, or jumping into them and enjoying the ride. Just like life – life is continuous. Some days and events are intense, and we brace and prepare for them. Other times, we just want to run away from life. But there is still another option – embrace whatever life brings knowing you are surrounded in God’s light and protection. God does not keep you from the waves of struggles and troubles, but He walks with you in it and helps you to learn, find meaning in it, and build your dependence upon Him.
Then one day on my run, I realized I was running across the waves, not into them. The sun was in front of me, and I was filled with the warmth of the sun’s light. And when I turned, the sun was on my back. Either way, the sun was shining on me bringing me warmth and comfort. It glistened off the waves and made them dance in the light.
Life hits us straight on at times especially in loss and grief, sad and lonely times, hurtful and painful times. But most of the time, we just walk through life – through the waves just plodding along. We may even ignore the beauty around us and never walk fully into the moments that are in front of us. Therefore, we miss the beauty of God’s presence and creation. We keep our heads down and barely recognize we are walking through anything.
My perspective on life changed when I was walking through these waves. I used to focus on God walking me through the trauma, the struggle and pain and finally making it to the other side. But what if life is always walking in the waves? Yes, sometimes the waves are more intense, and we need to slow down and struggle through them. I have come to experience that life is a constant movement like the waves. God moves with us. He does not always calm the storm, but God always walks with us in the storm. Remember Jesus walked on water in the storm. He did not calm the storm first and then walk on the water.
The waves of life will never stop. They will keep coming. Sometimes they slow us down, and we stop until the intensity is less, but we keep moving with the waves of life. I am learning to find joy in each wave. To feel the warmth of God’s love and presence in each moment. To trust God when to run, when to walk, when to plod, when to stroll, when to stop and rest. But to always trust God is walking with me and to enjoy God’s faithful presence.
