The last time we were at our favorite beach spot, was in 2019. We arrived just before the tropical storm off the coast released a deluge of wind and rain. The ocean was not the friendly face of years past, but a raging tempest of angry, surging surf. We stood on our nineteenth-floor balcony awed by the power unleashed before us. The waters crashed and frothed, covering every bit of beach, and threatening the edges of the building below. This storm was more than 200 miles out at sea!
I’ve been thinking a lot about that experience since writing my last post. I must confess, I was being taught even as I wrote. I kept trying to make it about the battle to stay with my stuff on the beach and the LORD kept pushing me away. It was a struggle to turn my eyes away from the place I was “supposed” to be so I could see His message for me (and you).
Which brings me to what I want to share today. I love being in the ocean; swimming, floating, playing. But when the storms are raging, I prefer to watch from the balcony.
The storm I described earlier was what is called a Red Flag Day in Panama City Beach. A red flag means to stay out of the water; it doesn’t even allow wading. We are to stay completely out of the water!
But in the context of Jesus being the Living Water, I’m called to relax into Him and where He wants to take me. I’m called to enter the stormy waters and not just the gently lapping waters of a typical Gulf beach day.
Please don’t take this literally and go jumping into the ocean during a tropical storm! This is about living life out in the deep with Jesus as our security. Being confident in Him. Trusting Him when what He asks of us goes against our feelings, our wants, our culture, and sometimes even friends and family.
Speaking of, there is a word of caution here too…
We were all created to be IN Christ Jesus, but we were NOT all created to do the same good works in Him. Following Jesus doesn’t look exactly the same. We are NEVER called to do anything contrary to God’s written word, but our lives are meant to be lived as uniquely as we are created.
LORD, I want to relax into You as You lead me. Give me a desire to go wherever You want me to go. Teach me to let go of the familiar and cling to You alone. Give me confidence in You. Teach me to trust Your plan is good and perfect even when it creates struggle for me. Protect me from fear. Create in me a willingness to encourage others to choose You and live for You. Do not let me foster a critical spirit; I do not want to grieve or quench Your Holy Spirit in me. I love You. May my thoughts, words, and deeds bring You all the glory, honor, and praise You are due! Amen.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Wowee!! This is beautiful Barbara!! Amen and amen!!