This past year I’ve dipped my size 14 feet into the Pacific in three distinctly different places: Coronado Beach, California; Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C., Canada; and Newport, OR. My family and I will be returning to Newport in about a month. I love the ocean and her pounding waves. One can make such a visit a spiritual event: Calling to mind the wisdom and power of God’s creation. The Psalmist compares the pounding waves of the sea to God’s strength.
Psalm 93
1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
2 Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity.
3 The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the LORD on high is mighty.
5 Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O LORD.
Last time I walked on Newport beach, I picked up several pieces of driftwood, small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. I wonder what they looked like before the breakers got it. I wonder how large a chunk of lumber it started as, gradually worn to reveal something smooth, unique, and beautiful in it’s own way. My prayer is that God works with us and molds us, refining us for his glory and for the long-term spiritual benefit of everyone.
Yet as we stand on the shore that lies before us, viewing the future which surely holds calm seas and raging storms alike, we also cast a glance at the waters already past our hull. We regret our mistakes—our errors—our sins. These flow wave after wave from the sinful nature in which we were born. The broken shells of culpability lie at all our feet, my own feet as well. I’m sure we could have handled situations differently, with more love and understanding or chosen our words more carefully, or taken words and actions in better way than we actually did. Whatever needs to be worn away from our heart or attitude, I pray we confess it to our Lord and grow from it. Sin was relentlessly against us, like waves ever-crashing upon the shore. Yet Jesus endured the breakers of sin on our behalf. Jesus endured the punishment for sin in your place. You are forgiven and now right with God.
Sins forgiven, refined and emboldened for the challenges that lie ahead, we go forward in the spirit of Rom 5: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."