Wave Rider

2020

“Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name.”

(Jeremiah 31:35)

I love the ocean. My kids and I try to visit the beach as much as we can. I often refer to myself as being solar powered and the beach is the perfect place to recharge my battery.

On a recent trip to the beach, as I took a long walk down the shore, the Holy Spirit began teaching me. At first, I was gazing out over the ocean and skyline looking for dolphins, then I was drawn to look down at the sea shells. I searched for pretty, whole shells as I strolled down the warm, wet sand.

The Lord asked me why the whole shells were so valuable to me. I stopped dead in my tracks as this question hit me like a fly swatter smacking a fly. I knew what my answer was and that He already knew what I was going to say. I was thinking how no one wants a broken shell. The whole ones are pretty! I like to put the beautiful shells in a glass jar and display them in my home.

I knew my answer was flawed. So, the Holy Spirit began teaching me. I’m so glad He loves me even in my childish, innocent, flawed state as He ever so lovingly guides me.

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

(John 14:26 NLT)

He said,

“The whole shells endured the roughest waves and yet survived. Only the strongest shells survive in one piece. All the shells you see laying on the sand went through the same process to end up at your feet, yet some were crushed into pieces, some made it out with a few chips and cracks, but only a small amount made it out whole. Even the whole shells you find valuable have scratches and flaws. I want to teach you how to come out of the process whole like the shell you hold in your hand.”

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

(Isaiah 43:2 ESV)

When He stopped talking, I felt like I was reading a good book with a cliffhanger ending. I was like, “Ok, God, and…. the rest of the story is?” But, He didn’t respond that day. He left me to ponder what He had dropped in my spirit. And boy, it sat in like a bomb. 

I eagerly awaited for Him to continue. I looked for Him at every turn all that evening and into the next day. He spoke, but not on that subject. Every time I asked about it, He ever so kindly detoured me to another topic that was on His heart.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

(Matthew 7:7 NIV)

Then out of nowhere, boom! He came. I was walking along the sand as I took an important phone call. All of a sudden, a wave came and almost knocked me off my feet. I nearly dropped my phone. I steadied myself and looked up as I heard a deep voice of a man nearby say, “Watch out for the fishing line.” I was headed right for a fishing pole’s invisible fishing line and almost got tangled in it. As my mind was racing a thousand miles an hour, the Holy Spirit spoke. I quickly hung up the phone and retreated to a more private spot on the beach.

He explained that the goal is not to come out of the crashing waves beautiful and shiny, but whole. We should desire to come out of the process as whole as we can be. He began to explain how shells make it out in one piece. It is due to a few major factors: they are strong, they roll with the punches of the waves, glide over rough patches of sand and broken shells, float through the seas of ups and downs, and flow in and out with the tides. These factors are the reason that shells make it out whole against all the obstacles that should have crushed it. He said,

“That is what I want you to be…. a wave rider.”

“Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

(Matthew 8:27)

The whole shells rode the same waves that crushed or cracked most of their fellow shells, but the whole ones remained intact. It learned to ride the waves, endure the crushing, and remain strong.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 

(2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV)

The wave riders are emerging in this hour. Look around and you can see the ones who remain strong through all that was meant to crush them. The riders are fixed on Jesus with eyes ablaze in deep intimacy with Him. They have strapped their surfboard securely to themselves and are in it to win. They shall not be moved. Jesus is calling us all to become wave riders in this hour. He is drawing us deeper in love with Him. He is causing the flame of intimacy with Him to be the fuel for the fire of passion so we can remain strong and unmovable in this hour. Wave riders come forth and emerge in power! 

“For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.”

(Isaiah 9:5 ESV)

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

(1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT)

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.”

(2 Samuel 22:2 NIV)

A few years ago, I had an encounter where an angel carried me and showed me the ocean. He placed me on a raft in the middle of a very rocky, choppy sea of waves. The raft he placed me on was one of the cheap blow up ones. The kind of raft that is thin and hard to stay afloat on. It was very difficult to remain on this raft. The angel told me that every time I felt overwhelmed I was to envision myself floating on this raft. I was to rest and let the Lord be my guide. I was to allow His waves to take me where I needed to go. All I had to do was rest on Jesus, my raft. Sure it was hard to stay on the small, thin float, but the more I relaxed the steadier I became. The more I trusted, the less I felt I was going to fall and go under.

As I have practiced resting during the up and down waves, my life has been transformed. Allowing Him to carry me has been a game changer. I have learned the importance of floating instead of striving. I now see the beauty in true rest through intimacy with Jesus.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

(Matthew 11:28 ESV)

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

(Matthew 11:29 ESV)

This past spring, as I was down by the River Walk on my daily jog. The Lord spoke, He said,

“It’s now time to get off the raft and enter the rapids.”

I then saw myself floating in a boat-like floatation device down the raging river rapids. I had no oars to help guide me. I knew it was time to step out of the milder waves and into the fast paced rapids. I also knew Jesus would be my oars and guide as I floated in dangerous waters. 

Although I much prefer the sound of the ocean waves, I knew He was telling me that things are now happening at a rapid, “suddenly” rate and that I needed to buckle up. I don’t have to fear or worry as long as I float with Him. He is taking me through the rough patches and guiding my every step. I am learning to be a wave rider and I want to make it out of the raging sea whole–– not cracked, scratched, or crushed.

“He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.”

(Ephesians 5:27 NLT)

Jesus longs for a healed and whole bride without spot or wrinkle. He is calling those out of the shadows to ride waves with Him and for Him. He is raising a surfing company of love sick riders, passionate to ride the waves with Him. So grab your board and let’s do this. Surfs up!

“He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. 

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!”

(Psalm 107:15 ESV)

PRAYER:

Jesus, I am so in love with You! Thank you for Your steadfast love and wondrous works. You are amazing!

I offer myself as a vessel You can use–a wave rider for Your glory. Teach me to ride the waves and rest in You. As I rest in You, I am made whole-–without any spot or wrinkle. You are my strength and guide and I give You complete control. I surrender to You. I give You my all.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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“He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul…”

(Psalm 23:1-6 ESV)

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

(Psalm 46:10 ESV)

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

(Isaiah 30:15 ESV)

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

(Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV)