Free as the Waves

     Though I may be a light-hearted person, there is one thing that I take very seriously.  That is my purpose, my whole life; my God.  I am only successful, able, and strong because of His mercy and I am alive only to share with others how deeply He cares for them; how He can transform lives, how he redeemed mine.  While it's easy - in this world of busyness - to forget these things, I am constantly reminded...
       I read my bible on the beach this morning with the tide line just touching my feet and the sun heating my back.  It was the most beautiful time to reflect on God's glory; to hear His voice.  After I'd read I went out to stand in the waves as they crashed towards the shore.  The ocean is magnificent, each wave creates a separate beauty.  The waves are wild, untamable, risky and free.  They do not fear or hold back their strength.  They provide a distinct image of the glory of God... and they do all this by their obedience of God's design.  The true beauty of the waves lies not in their recklessness, but in their order.  Waves follow the ruling of the tide; every wave works as one, creating beauty. 
      This is how we are meant to be.  When we follow God's guidance, when we live in obedience, we bring glory to His name.  Our willingness glows with brilliance; as we work together that beauty increases tenfold.  We were created to be beautiful through our obedience, just like the waves.  Our disobedience only created storms, struggles in our lives.  We don't realize it, but when we live our lives for ourselves it becomes meaningless.  The beautiful motion we were designed for is nonexistent, we are stagnant. 
       So many know of God's love, of His sacrifice, and yet they "continue to follow their former practices instead of truly worshiping the Lord and obeying His instructions" (2 Kings 17:34).  To realize the incredible sacrifice that Christ made, and NOT to accept it is the saddest of all.  The Lord tells these that He "will make [them] return by the same road on which [they] came" (2 Kings 19:28).  Their disobedience results in punishment, as well as missing the gifts that were in store.
      But there are those who strive to obey God's law; who love Him with all their hearts.  People wonder, "What are you trusting in that makes you so confident?" and "Why should you be any different?" (2 Kings 18:19,19:11).  Let me tell you.  Their confidence, my confidence, comes from the almighty God who has forgiven my sins and called me from the ashes.  He is restoring my broken heart and bringing light to the darkness in my soul.  As the world fails I remain confident in His love, His forgiveness, His justice, and His holiness.  I am made different by my trust in Him; by my lack of fear.  Though I sometimes fail, through my obedience I am bringing Him glory like the waves of the ocean; forever working as one to sing the praises of our Lord.