Oceans have always been one of my favorite places. Perhaps it is the salty water that I can breathe in, the fine sand squishing beneath my toes, the vast view over the water, or the jagged rocks that line the shore. I don’t go to the sea to be surrounded by people though, no matter how scantily clad they may be (there’s a whole other post in that, but I’ll leave that for another time). I go to the sea to be amazed. To be reminded.
At the sea, I am amazed at the vastness of creation, and at its beauty. God created the heavens and the earth, and He knows how many grains of sand there are on the sea shore. He knows how deep the water is, how vast the ocean spans. And I am amazed. That a God who created all of this cares about me. That my life is just an instant in this world, just like I am not even a speck to those standing on the other side of the ocean. The saltiness of the sea reminds me that God created some things to be different – the fresh water lakes are not just little seas. They are distinct, different, unique. Even every sea is not the same, nor is every lake. We are all created with our own purpose, and we shouldn’t compare ourselves to everything around us that was created in the same image of God, but for a different purpose.
The sea also reminds me of the story in Matthew 14, when Jesus sends the disciples out ahead of him on the sea. Later, he walks to them on the water, and they see him, and say, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus says, “Do not fear, it is I.” Peter replies, “Lord, if it really is you, call me out on the water.” Jesus says, “Come.” And so Peter gets out of the boat and starts walking toward Jesus.
Peter had the courage to get out of the boat. He stepped out in faith, fully relying on the one who called him. I want to be Peter, I want to follow God’s call of “Come.” I don’t know about you, but I can’t walk on water. I’ve tried. There’s no way that I can follow God’s calling unless I have his help, his strength, his power in me. The beauty of this story, though, is not that Peter walked on water and followed God’s call. It’s what happens next.
Peter starts walking toward Jesus, but then he gets caught up in the wind and the waves and says, “Lord, save me! I’m sinking!!!” Jesus reaches out his hand, and says, “Oh you of little faith. Why did you doubt?”
I don’t know about you, but I get caught up in the wind and the waves of this life every day. I start walking on water towards Jesus with every intention of not doubting. And then the wind comes, the waves rise, and I look down. And here’s the beauty of this story: I call out to Jesus, and he holds out his hand to help me up. And I start walking with him again. And then I get caught up in the waves and the wind again. Again, he holds out his hand.
No matter how many times I fail and fall, Jesus holds out his hand to me. I want to keep my eyes fixed upon Jesus all the days of my life, and when I fall, I trust that he will be there to pick me up, and, at times, carry me. I can’t walk on water alone. I need his help.
Oceans remind me of this. I miss living by one. But I know that God has called me here right now, and I will serve him here. It may not always be easy, and I will get caught up in the wind and the waves, but I know he’s always there, hand outstretched, to help me up.