Clay in the Hands

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a couple of days with the family in southern California on vacation.  I had been there for several days at a conference and the family joined me there for some R and R.

We spent a day and a half on the beach at Huntington.  We picked a great time to be there for a number of reasons.  The US Open of Surfing was going on at the same time so there were people everywhere – but honestly that added to the experience.  But the main reason it was a great time to be there was that we were blessed with abnormally high waves (some 10 to 12 feet).  It was an awesome sight!

The problem the waves created was that we were not allowed to go out into the surf past waste height.  Once we got out into the surf with our boogy boards, it did not take long to understand the reason.  While the waves were incredible, the rip current (the current underneath the waves going back out to sea) was just as strong.

We had a blast riding the waves into shore, but then the work began as we fought the current and tried to make our way back out to the break to catch the next wave.

As I reflect on that experience, it dawns on me that a life lesson can be found in it.  We had to fight the current to get to where we needed to be.  Sometimes, not always, we have to go against the current to get to where God wants us.

It is easier to just go with the flow, but over time we realize that we have been carried to places we never intended to go.  We suddenly look up and realize we have lost all bearings – nothing looks the same.  Our surroundings have changed but we had not noticed because we were enjoying the rush.

I challenge you today to enjoy the ride, but hold your ground even when the current wants to take you somewhere else.  God has a plan for you – focus on that fact even if it means going against the current.