Featured Devotion

What's In A Wave by Laura Shaw

"For in Him we live and move and have our being."
Acts 17:28a (NIV)

In the beginning of my venture out into the big time, I was strong—it seemed manageable. Ten minutes
later, I could hardly breathe, open my eyes, and my whole body was weak, numb and shaking. I wished I
had something to float on and pull me into the shore. (I also wished I were in better physical shape—how
do those surfers do it?)

Now that I reflect back at this, I can’t help but relate it to the past three years of loss, pain and trials in my
own life. When I entered the struggling season, I didn’t even know I was in the middle of an ocean that
would push me around me with pounding force for a while to come.

I started out strong and full of hope, with positive prayers and promises to keep me on my feet. But
another wave of tribulation came, followed by a strong undercurrent of doubt and negativity—then I held
my breath as I allowed my own quick-fixes and self-helps to push me further under water. My spirit
became weak and numb, and my emotions were shaking and rolling with each wave. I knew that if I just
cried out to the Lord, His strong arm would hold me afloat and eventually land me on solid ground.

I whole-heartedly long for steadfast faith no matter which breaker I’m on or beneath. It’s difficult to admit
that sometimes I have allowed my circumstances to interrupt my faith. How many times have I read the
passage about Peter walking on water until he took his eyes off of Jesus? (Matthew 14:30) I find myself
wishing I were in better spiritual shape, but His own disciples even struggled with Jesus in the flesh
beside them.

Thankfully, as I look deeper into the analogy, I can see God-waves throughout my life as a believer. Waves
of hope and protection. Waves of grace and mercy. Not just in the past, but right this moment His love
pours over me, flows through me, preserves me. If I am willing to “taste and see that the Lord is good,” His
saltiness will rub off on me and then on to others.

Can you relate this experience to your own life? While the troubling surges of life can overwhelm us, only
His love will consume us. If we take our eyes off of Him and doubt Him for a time, it’s not long before the
Holy Spirit convicts and reminds us where our true hope is found.

So what’s in a wave anyway? The better question is “WHO’s in your wave?” HE IS! When our eyes are on
Him, we will have everything we need to surf the waves that would otherwise break us down. From little
ripples to huge surges, He longs for us to stay focused on Him, believing and not doubting, trusting that
soon we will see it all from Heaven’s shore.

Lord Jesus, help us to be steadfast when the wind and the waves come to knock us off our feet. Help us,
show us how to keep our eyes on You no matter what. Our hope is in You, Jesus. We are so small, and
YOU are so big. Keep us ever mindful of your largeness in every sense of the word. Thank you for Your
all-consuming love, compassion and faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s
great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.”
Lamentations 3:21-22, NIV

I recently spent some time on the beach in South Florida. As I stood in the middle
of the crashing waves on a windy day, I was all-consumed with a mixture of
sensations. Force, power, stinging salt up my nose while pelting my skin and
eyes. My two feet were swept off the bottom of the sandy floor in random
sequence--first by the wave on top, then by the one in the under-current.

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the
man who takes refuge in Him.”
Psalm 34:8, NIV