“Rad to the max, like really tubular man!” the surfers of yesteryear would exclaim after experiencing the thrill of riding that “perfect wave.”
It was addictive. They learned, sometimes the hard way, how to catch and hold the perfect position and repeat the “high” of getting another trippy ride just right.
Strangely, part of the appeal of surfing is its inherent danger. Those waves are big, and the ocean that generates them is infinitely bigger.
Experienced surfers learn, usually the hard way, not to fight the waves, but to ride them. Fighting them can lead to injury or worse; riding them can be a joy like no other.
The key is getting in sync with the wave and staying in the “sweet spot.” Let the wave do the work. Let it take you where IT IS going, not where YOU want it to go.
This calls for great respect and deep humility on your part for what you are dealing with.
This is very similar to discovering and “riding” the Will of God in your life.
Life is not actually about you at all …
It’s all about God. Every bit of it. One of the most devastating effects of the fall of man in the garden, was a tragic reversal of perspective in mankind’s now-fallen minds.
Before the fall, GOD was Adam and Eve’s focal point, and they understood that were totally dependent upon Him. When they sided with Satan (the Serpent), their perspectives immediately flipped, and THEY became the focal point of their lives.
These two rebels struck out independently of God and demoted Him to an “also-ran” for their affections. This would not stand.
The rest of the Bible tells the story of how God lovingly set about reversing this catastrophic treason and again placing man in right relationship with Himself. This process of redeeming mankind would prove very costly for both sides.
The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, reminds us of how things really are as God sees them, regardless of mankind’s delusional opinions of himself as being his own god.
Isaiah 46:9-11 reads:
“Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My plan will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a distant country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, I will certainly do it.”
Our Sovereign God is going on about His business whether we go along for the ride or not. As with those surfers, the ocean boils, and the waves crash, regardless of whether they turn up to surf or stay in bed.
Ignoring the waves is not an option.
Why miss out on all the fun? God is graciously inviting all of us to come down to the water, grab our boards, and get out there.
Flowing through the cosmos, like a massive invisible wave, runs the Sovereign Will of God. His Will ALWAYS prevails, it is the Will of the One who is, in the words of Psalm 103:8-14:
… compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in mercy.
… For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our wrongdoings from us.
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He Himself knows our form;
He is mindful that we are nothing but dust.”
You can’t beat God’s will, nor can you ignore it, but you sure can ride it. Just make sure you respect its power, stay in step with its ebb and flow, and sensitively time your moves.
How About You?
Are you seeking to know the God WHO IS, or are you still chasing the myth of a god that you IMAGINE him to be, or hope that he is? You have been created in God’s image, so don’t fall into the trap of trying to create a god in your image.
But remember, it’s not about you. Massive waves don’t stop and ask permission of anyone. Like those intrepid surfers, we must learn not to insist on our way, our priorities, our needs and wants.
Imagine a surfer trying to explain to a massive wave bearing down on him about what HE needs. It’s the other way around, the surfer must tune into the wave and go where IT is going.
Otherwise, you’re in for a spiritual “wipeout.”