The first night I moved to Hawaii, I went to the beach. I laid down on the shore and just listened to the waves pouring into the beach. One wave would crash after another and the gentle rhythm soon had me in a tranquil rest.
The contrary part of that same ocean lies beneath the shoreline with mighty power.
One of the things my grandpa told me over and over before I moved was to be careful of the ocean on the North Shore. “It is so strong.”
Of course, I listened. When you see warning signs posted on the beach to stay clear of the water, you stay clear of the water.
The water at that time of the year has a very strong pull. On this particular beach, there are huge shore breaks or areas the beach drops off. When the water is not covering them you can see the huge walls that lie below the water’s edge.
Where the shore drops the water tumbles in a circle. If you are unfamiliar with it, think of it like a sideways washing machine. Turning over in the same spot.
This particular day, I had stayed clear, I thought. In fact, I was sitting on the beach. Not in the water but at the edge. A wave came in a little further than the last and picked me up and pulled me right into its mighty grip.
I found myself being pulled in and turned over in the water. In fact, it took someone to literally pull me out of the water and to the shore to get out of it. It was so strong; I could not stand up under its force.
Psalm 93:4 says, Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty!
I can tell you first hand, I have experienced the mighty waves of the sea. I have seen it’s majestic 20+ foot waves.
My life was at stake with its mighty power but this verse in Psalm tells us God is mightier!
One day Jesus was preaching to a crowd (This passage can be found in Mark 4). It was getting late and He decided that He and His disciples would go to the other side of the sea. While they were crossing the sea, Jesus fell asleep in the stern of the boat.
A violent storm came upon them and the disciples started to panic while Jesus remained sleeping. Their boat began filling with water and they thought they were going to drown. They woke Jesus up shouting, “Don’t you care that we are dying?”
I love this next part because Jesus doesn’t immediately rebuke them. He rebukes the wind and the sea.
He quiets the wind. He quiets the water. Before He begins to quiet their hearts.
The sea is mighty but God is mightier!
“Who is this?” The disciples ask themselves. “Even the wind and the waves obey Him?”
We often think things are so out of control and we wonder if God even cares?
Does He even notice?
We think He must be so tied up in X, Y, Z that He doesn’t have time to take care of me.
And we panic. Just like I did when I was being tossed in the ocean. Not knowing if I would get out of the water. I was submerged in my problem and all I could do was think to survive. Oh, how so many times we resort to this.
Instead of remaining tranquil in God’s truth, we drown in our own problems just looking for a way out instead of the real rescue.
How often do we rest in God allowing Him to control the storm around us while walking us through it?
Don’t get me wrong, I know our lives are real and our lives are hard. If only we would cling to God’s Truth and Word, like this story of Jesus calming the sea.
It is not just a story about how Jesus can calm our raging hearts. It speaks truth to the fact that He can control the very air we breathe and the waters that seem to be overtaking us. He attests to the fact that He can take care of every detail of our lives if we let Him.
Here’s the kicker. When I was living in my Hawaiian Paradise, I was living for myself. I was there on a mission to be me. Far from God and any plans, He may have had for my life.
What mercy God showed me that day. Allowing me to be pulled from the water. Allowing me to one day be restored. Allowing me to serve Him and tell of all His goodness.
Now that is the power of a mighty Lord.
Knowing and taking charge of the details of my life.
Knowing and taking charge of the details of my life.
Do you have any stories of how God has shown up in your life in a mighty way? Come along side of us and encourage us with your stories. Share with us in the comments below. We love to hear from you and are encouraged by what God is doing in your life.
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This week’s featured friend is Julie Loos from Unmasking the Mess! Here is Julie Bio Info. Writer, Jesus follower, wife,and mother to five incredible kids. I make messes, get dropped into messes,and am just plain messy. I need God’s help minute by minute. Don’t you just love it? This is what real stuff is made of. Messes, but through it all, we need Jesus! Thanks so much for joining us here, friend!
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Beautiful post and pictures Jaime. i guess I haven't thought how strong waves really are.
Isn't it incredible to think of the mighty creation that God has given us to see a truer picture of Him. Thanks so much for sharing with is here, Debbie!
Thanks so much for hosting! Loved the post today! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the encouragement, Debbie! Glad you're here!
What a treat to see the face of my friend, Julie Loos here in your friendly place on a Wednesday morning! Your words about the power of the ocean certainly resonate for me. What an amazing Creator God!
Isn't she a great gal! There are so many wonderful people that join us here every week and I am excited to pick someone to share their work. Isn't it awesome how magnificent we can see God as through His creation.Thanks for stopping by and sharing with us, Michele.
Jamie- Wow! Thank you! I'm humbled to know how God is using me. I fear so often how I can do this, I mean I don't know what the heck I'm doing. I read your post and it's music to my ears, and then I see my picture. "He attests to the fact that He can take care of every detail of our lives if we let Him."
That's the beautiful truth. I let Him lead me and I walk in faith!
Blessings to you!
Julie
Do any of us really know what we are doing? Just passing through! Some day when all is revealed to us, oh, what a day! So beautiful, friend, if we let Him lead and walk in faith, bringing our heart. It is was He desires. Hebrews 11:6 says without faith it is impossible to please God. Keep walking, friend! Glad you're here!
I am so grateful to God that He is bigger than any storm! Thank you for the weekly linkup.
Bigger than all we face. Such comfort can be found in that. Thanks for sharing, Susan and glad you are here!
God so graciously had other plans for your life that day, not plans for destruction!
His plans are for our good. Even when they don't feel good. His can see the bigger picture. So grateful for that. Glad you are here, Elizabeth!
I loved reading this beautiful ocean story. Though it as scary, God turned it into something beautiful. Thanks for being open here, Jaime! Blessings to you and yours.
God will turn our messes into something beautiful if we let Him. It is about trust and believing that what He says is true for us. So glad you come here every week, friend. Thanks for sharing.
Great post, Jaime! I'm pinning and sharing so others will be blessed!
Thank you so much for the encouragement and for sharing. I do appreciate you visiting us here every week, Donna!
Very nice. We forget how powerful faith and God is.
Great reminders in the world around us in His creation. Isn't it amazing that He gave us those reminders realizing that we would forget. So glad your here, Patrick. Have a great week!
Hawaii! Someday I would love to stay there for an extended period! Who knows … maybe retirement? The waves are truly so majestic and powerful. The ocean always speaks to me so brilliantly about the power and beauty of God. Love this post and love that you featured Julie! She is such a treasure!
Hugs,
Lori
We'll have to meet up there sometime! What a fun place for a retreat that would be. Such beauty, you can't help but see why God looked at His creation and called it good. Thanks for stopping by and yes, isn't Julie such a sweetheart!