Living in a beach community, the constant ebb and flow of the tides offers many visual analogies to life as we know it. In the middle of the night, the sound of crashing waves becomes a distant drum roll that soothes the soul. As the tide rises, each wave seems to redraw a line of advancement in the darkening sand, highlighting the lighter color and dryness of the sand yet to be touched by water.
What a great reminder that is of our lives in the world. Every man continues in his battle against sin, with the major difference between believers and unbelievers being forgiveness of that sin. Yet with the onslaught of temptations coming at each of us in waves, we often discover that the line we originally drew in the sand has been redrawn. Just as the tide continues to rise, we all can look back on our lives and see that many of the sins we were certain to avoid are now a part of our past. Similarly, glancing back to the beach reveals that what was intended to be a line of defense has been annihilated by the advancing enemy. This is what James, the brother of Jesus, had to say about those trials:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:2-8
Watching those forceful waves crash against the shoreline demonstrates the power of the ocean, but we often lose sight of the power of the wind, either knocking the waves down to nothingness or lifting them up to epic proportions. In the same manner, God in the form of the Holy Spirit has the power to lessen or completely erase the trials facing us. In Greek, the word for wind and the Holy Spirit is the same, “pneuma.” Though God has the ability to eradicate our trials, that is not His purpose, for through testing, we grow closer to Him. Additionally, the trials increase our patience, wisdom and faith.
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:35-50
In the verse above, the disciples were riding in a boat above the waves. Though Jesus was in the boat with them, they feared death. Ironically, there is no record of anyone dying when in the presence of Jesus, but fear is not driven by logic. In the same manner, our travels through life entail many windstorms, darkening clouds and stormy seas. Yet with Jesus in our boats, do we have any reason to fear? The waves of His mercy can overwhelm any trial, attack or difficulty. Feel His peace. Be still…and know that He is God!
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
1 Peter 1:6-7
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