When we step into this life of faith in Jesus, it’s like trading our beach chairs and umbrellas on a stationary mass of sand to engage in the moving, living water of the sea with its waves, currents, hazards and unknowns. We usually spend quite a while in ankle deep water, testing the temperature without committing our whole bodies; reassured by our proximity to dry ground. But faith will never allow us to stay there. The Lord didn’t draw us close so we could be bystanders with wet feet. He drew us so that He could take us deeper and deeper, where out of necessity, we become students who are (eventually) willing to receive His expertise on how to use the waves to propel us forward, rather than take us down.
His lessons were designed to take us beyond our natural ability. We wouldn’t grow otherwise. For most of us, it’s going to take an agonizing amount of tumbling around in the waves with a stomach full of seawater and lumps of sand in our bathing suits, wondering what on earth happened, before we will truly let Him teach us. Maybe it’s ignorance; maybe it’s pride. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think so. And even when we become willing, it still takes practice – and plenty of mistakes – to learn.
When we’ve been banged up a bit, we often beg to go back to the shore where we will feel warm, dry and safe. It’s not that the shore is such a bad place, but the reason we crave it is because we feel secure in our own ability and control there. The Lord knows that our freedom, fulfillment and joy lie in our ability to trust Him, not ourselves, and the only place to learn that is when we are in over our heads.
As a young child, I remember watching my dad bodysurf. My eyes would swell as a giant wave swallowed him up completely. But then he would emerge in the middle of it, a powerful arm thrust forward, flying through the water like a superhero. It was miraculous to watch. It is like what the Lord is teaching me in the midst of this trial… to harness the power of the waves so that they no longer take me down, but propel me forward. I’m not always successful, but the rides I’ve had on these daunting waves have been impossibly joyful, empowering and nothing short of miraculous.
Oceans by Hillsong seems incredibly appropriate for this post.
And a friend just told me about In Over My Head which is wildly relevant.
where waves grow sweet 
Beautiful Kari! I also recommend listening to “In Over My Head” by Bethel. It wrecks me every time.
Bless you friend.
By: Peter Shambrook on October 22, 2018
at 11:24 am
Thanks Pete! What a perfect song!! I am going to add that one to the post. Bless you too 🙂
By: karanoel on October 22, 2018
at 3:32 pm
Can’t deny it – I love your child’s image of me (even if exaggerated a bit). I think I’ll keep it in mind when the enemy reminds me of my weakness. We’re strong in the strength of His might. Super-surfing with Jesus!
On Mon, Oct 22, 2018 at 11:14 AM where waves grow sweet wrote:
> karanoel posted: “When we step into this life of faith in Jesus, it’s like > trading our beach chairs and umbrellas on a stationary mass of sand to > engage in the moving, living water of the sea with its waves, currents, > hazards and unknowns. We usually spend quite a while in” >
By: Kenn Gulliksen on October 22, 2018
at 12:11 pm
That’s exactly how I remember it! Love that – super-surfing with Jesus where our weakness is transformed into strength. Amen and amen!
By: karanoel on October 22, 2018
at 3:34 pm
Hi honey. Just read this and I have been in the curl of the wave today. Yesterday the water was as smooth as glass and I could have floated on the water until Jesus came to get us. So blessed with heavens msgs and supernatural drawing. Today all hell broke loose so the holy spirits timing Of Your blog is of course perfect. Thank you so much for having a heart that is open to his voice and your faithfulness to put it out there for the rest of us battered saints that indeed long for the shoreline but no in our spirits we were created for so much more. Praying so much for you always and love you more than I can say.
Bless you with all that heaven holds
Sent from my iPhone
By: hvnbnd58 on October 22, 2018
at 9:02 pm
I’m so sorry you got so battered today Wendy! But I am so glad that this post encouraged you. It is so completely different than what I sat down to write so the Lord must have known. Love you ♥️
By: karanoel on October 22, 2018
at 9:38 pm