Riding the Waves
Growing up in Australia, I grew up loving the beach. (About 80 percent of Australians live on the coast.) So whenever I can, I take my family to a beautiful, welcoming, and quiet beach.
When our girls were small and had not learned to swim, I held their hands tightly as the waves splashed against us. They held my hands firmly too! Our son, on the other hand, who could swim well, wasn’t interested in being at the mercy of the waves. He loved to ride them!
The waves of difficulty, grief, and pain roll onto the shores of our lives unannounced. But we don’t have to be overcome by them. Riding life's waves is not only the best way to cope--but to be victorious!
The apostle Paul had experienced more than his share of life’s ‘waves,’ but more than this, he felt the bitter hatred from others for being a follower of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Yet he could declare with confidence, having been pummeled by the ‘waves’ of being Jesus disciple, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
Are you feeling pounded and overwhelmed by the waves of life? Perhaps you feel your connection with Christ drowning as a result. Don’t despair. God will hold onto you with His Almighty hand and will never let go (Isaiah 41:10).
Chris Buttery, Lead Pastor
