Reflections From the Beach
I was fortunate to spend this past week in southwest Florida. I always enjoy visiting my grandparents, fishing, and being around the water. It had been 3 years since I had been, so the trip was long overdue. As I often do, I wrapped up my visit with a trip out to the beach to take in the sunset before heading home. That atmosphere has always been neat for me, regardless of not being able to see the sunset itself. It has a way of putting things in perspective, and I wanted to try to capture my thoughts.
As I listen to the waves rolling in, feel the cool breeze of thick salty air and enjoy being surrounded by nature, it struck me how enormous God is. Standing next to the vast expanse of moving water, enveloped by the massive open sky, I get a healthy sense of exactly how minuscule a dot I am on the map of the world. The power of the one who created it all. Taking that in by its self is humbling, but it’s not the coolest part in my opinion. What’s hard to rap my mind around is that the same God who created and commands this masterpiece- He knows my name. He knows yours too. Jeremiah 1:5 says “I knew you before I formed you in your Mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” We may not all have the same calling that Jeremiah had, but I don’t think God knows us or cares for us any less. Psalms 139:13 “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s Womb.” And if that’s not enough to show us that God knows our details, Luke 12:7 says “And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are much more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” It’s amazing that the same God can both create the oceans and number the hairs of each person’s head! He truly is the God of details; nothing is too insignificant for him to consider.
As great as it is to behold his glory through a seaside sunset, I started thinking it shouldn’t only be such an experience that brings about these inspirations. I want to challenge myself to see God’s power and glory just as much every time I walk out on to the farm. Every time I’m blessed to wake up and see another day. Every time I’m reminded that Jesus poured out his blood and gave his life on the cross for me. The list could go on, but perhaps the biggest challenge is to behold God in every person we interact with. Each and every one is made in his image. That’s hard to believe sometimes, but it’s true. Mark 12:31 says “The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these.” Here Jesus tells us that loving God and loving our neighbor are the 2 equally most important commandments. I think the former makes the latter possible. If we make it a point to embrace the spirit and it’s fruit, it should be much easier to love and value others as we should. As well as see God at work in our everyday, sometimes mundane feeling lives.
We will always find it easier to feel close with God in some places and times than others. The more we can strive to behold him in everything and everyone around us, though, the more I think we will naturally live and treat others in ways that will glorify Him. Wherever you feel closest to God, the next time you find yourself frustrated, lonely, questioning, whatever it might be, try to go to that place in your mind. The peace of God will make a difference. If you don’t know Jesus, I invite you to seek him. He can give you, as Phil Robertson says “The rarest commodity on planet Earth, peace of mind.”
