Surf & ServeSample

GET WET

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good God is.

Blessed are you who run to him.

—Psalm 34:8, The Message

We enjoy surfing, and some of us are even consumed by it. Does that mean we knew everything about waves and boards before our first session? Of course not! We gained a bit of understanding and started there, learning more with each new experience. Even those who have years of experience and extensive knowledge still have a lot to discover.

In surfing—and in life—we usually have to go with what we know and learn along the way. After all, how could you ever master the waves if you refused to paddle out until you were an expert? It doesn’t make sense.

So, we make the most of every opportunity to harness the energy of the ocean. We don’t let our lack of mastery over every facet of it keep us from getting wet.

Sadly, sometimes we don’t respond to God’s calling to serve Him and others in the same way. We hesitate because we want all our questions answered before diving in.

But this hesitation robs us in so many ways. We miss opportunities to learn about God and ourselves. We miss opportunities to grow and develop spiritually. We miss the fun and adventure of seeing what God can do through us when we jump in and start paddling.

So don’t wait for all the pieces to fall into place before you launch. Instead, trust the One who has all the answers—as only then will you begin your journey of understanding and enjoyment.

As the Bible says, “Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

When it comes to serving others who ask us to address their questions about God and the Bible, let’s encourage them to take steps of faith based on a little understanding and to leave the unknowns in God’s hands.

Surfing and serving God both involve overcoming fear of the unknown, forging ahead despite unanswered questions, and slowly unraveling mysteries. Whether you’re considering taking your first steps with Christ or pondering stepping into unknown territory with Him, rest assured that He is trustworthy.

The rewards go to those who get in—so don’t hesitate to jump right in and get wet.

Go Deeper:

• Look back over your surfing journey so far—whether you’re a grom or a gnarly old salt. How has God been shaping you through this journey? Take a moment to thank Him for all the highs and lows so far.
• Are there areas of your life where you sense God calling you into a new thing? Ask Him to help you trust and jump in to follow Him.