Recently, my wife and I got to spend some time on the coast of South Carolina. I really enjoy these experiences. For some reason, you do not have to force yourself to relax once you get there. The ocean envelopes you and invites you to rest, relax, recharge yourself emotionally and physically. It also gives your mind a break from the normal busy routine back home. It is a good opportunity to take some time to reflect on your life, and allow God speak to you in a special way. In fact, that is how my spiritual journey began in the 1970’s when I became a Christian at a church beach retreat. Now, years later, I am still yearning and learning more about how much God really does love us.
Here are some things I have been thinking about…
WE CAN NOT EVEN FATHOM HOW MUCH GOD LOVES US.
Psalms 139:17-8 describes it this way… “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand…”- (Psalm 139:17-18). Think about that, even if you pick up a handful of sand on the beach, you could not count all the grains of sand. If you love someone, you think about them often. People may forget us, but God never does stop thinking about us. It is just incredible how much God desires such a close relationship with you and me.
GOD IS WITH US EVERYDAY.
Just as the tide washes the beach clean after each day, so does God’s grace and mercy does our soul. Each new day is unique, with no footprints of where we have already been. It is a new start. We can also trust God to get us through difficult days. “ You make a way through the sea and paths through the deep waters, but Your footprints were not seen.” – (Psalm 77:19)
GOD’S LOVE IS AWESOME LIKE THE OCEAN.
God’s love is not limited, it is readily available at any time in our lives. We can count on that no matter what. I like what Amy Grant said about God’s love… “Salt water is the greatest component of our world, yet some people have never seen an ocean. That does not change the ocean, it is constant and powerful, and like the love of God, whether we are immersed in it, standing on the shore, or a thousand miles away, it remains.”
SUNRISES AND SUNSETS REFLECT THE BEAUTY OF GOD’S CREATION.
There is nothing more majestic in nature than a beautiful sunrise or sunset, especially at the beach. It is so colorful, and displays the the awesome power of the sun. They remind us of the importance and power of God’s light in our lives. C.S. Lewis said that “I believe in Christ like I believe in the sun. Not because I can see it, but by it I can see everything else.” May we each day sense God’s presence, guidance, and perspective in our lives as we reflect God’s light and love with people we meet, from sunrise to sunset. Jesus noted to his followers that we are to be a light in the world, by sharing our faith an making a positive difference. Let us let God’s light and love shine through us today!