No Fear
The bodyboarder on the island of Kauai had no fear — or perhaps no sense.
He crouched on the beach and studied the waves.
Ignoring ones reasonable men would choose, he waited on the ridiculous waves. Waves that would tower over his head and possess the power to crush him.
Only then did he charge. Straight into them. Fearless.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.
-Helen Keller
Some of us stand before crushing waves and see terror. Others see a daring adventure.
As a staunch member of the former crowd, I snapped the bodyboarder’s picture from the safety of shore.
In fact, I took all the pictures in this post from the safe sidelines.
Particularly at the Pipe Masters Tournament.
I had a blast taking their photos, but I suspect they had more fun.
What if I Couldn’t Fail?
If I couldn’t fail, would I have charged into the waves, too?
Yes, I would. All. Day. Long.
But few people ever go from zero to hero in one day. It’s a journey.
Oh, to have the courage and power to take on a wave.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
Ephesians 3:20
Life is a Big Wave — Take It On!
We don’t have to go to Kauai or the North Shore to face waves.
Life is a big wave.
God is teaching me the exhilaration of taking life on.
It’s not like we have much choice. In life, the waves find us.
But we have a tremendous surf instructor in the Lord.
You know that wave you’re facing that makes you want to run?
Take it on. Follow the Lord right into it. With Him, you cannot fail.
You may land upside down at times, but it doesn’t mean you failed — or that God failed you.
Success Isn’t Always Neat and Tidy
Sometimes it looks suspiciously like failing.
The apostle Paul endured planned shipwrecks (Acts 27:27-28:5).
In fact, he endured much more than shipwrecks and all for a greater purpose than he could have experienced without the perceived failures (2 Corinthians 11:23-12:10).
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
~ 2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV
In the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, take on your wave.
Fully expect God to do something great.
And hold on for the ride of your life.
Don’t worry about the scuffs or even an occasional body slam into the surf.
If God is in it, it will all be worth it.
If God’s not in it, get out of the water! Just sayin’.
[bctt tweet=”Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. #TakeLifeOn #ThePowerOfGod”]
Do you know someone who’s facing a wave and could use some encouragement? If so, I hope you’ll share this post with them.
Now, go and take on the day!
Great post and pictures. Very encouraging.
Thanks, Jann! It was fun and inspiring to take their pictures! I greatly admire them. I’m moved to trust God more by their courage.