May We Rise Above

    “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:29-30)

 
    I love to watch surfers ride huge waves. They, like Peter, momentarily rise above the water. I can only imagine what it would be like to walk or ride above the water. I don’t live near the ocean and truthfully I am not the greatest swimmer.  
Waves remind me of Creation. It is amazing how God made all the waves go back and forth in perfect unison. Jesus and God are after all the ones in whom the winds and the waves obey. See Matthew 8:23-27.  
    It took great courage for Peter to step out of the boat and it takes great courage for someone to step onto a board that could easily fly out from under them.  
Not only do surfers have lots of courage, but they use great wisdom. They learn by trial and error to make quick judgment calls regarding which waves they should choose. But when they do not use sound wisdom, and a wave is too big, there is a huge price to pay. Waves have the power to knock someone off the board and cause them to drown or throw them miles away from land. Peter also used wisdom when he started to sink. He called on Jesus for help.  
Another thing I appreciate about surfers is their determination to keep trying. The waves may knock them down but they get back up. They look expectantly for the next perfect wave. They are determined not to let these huge waves drive and toss them but to harness their great power and rise above the water again.  And like clockwork even daily they find themselves up in the air above the water and feel the rush of defying nature.
    Has life tried to knock you down with waves of problems? Don’t forget to look for another wave. It is called the wave of God’s blessing. We need to look and follow Christ for the good things he has in store for us. But God does something even greater. He brings good in the midst of tragedy and like the waves of the surfers it comes daily like clockwork. So keep your eyes on the master. He has great blessings in His hand. Christ is right there saving and helping you rise above the waters. We just need to trust and follow His plan.

Published by Jonathon Wright in GoodNews Christian Magazine April Edition.