You Are No Match for an Ocean

I was twenty years old the first time my toes touched the shoreline of an ocean; when my eyes first glimpsed the vastness of its reach, the horizon blending seamlessly with the glittering water. 

Having been raised in the land of 10,00 lakes, I am no stranger to sand or to water. For me, the lake was a beach! Typically, the only waves were man made, often generated by a passing boat or jet ski trying to stir up the water to make tubing more thrilling. But soon, those would die down, leaving a steady, smooth calm.

The biggest body of water I had seen up until the mighty Pacific was Lake Superior in Northern Minnesota. Though it is classified as a lake, it stretches as far as the eye can see along the North Shore. In the right conditions, avid surfers can ride some decent sized waves. There are days the sun rises over the the seemingly still waters, washing everything in a brilliant mix of orange and soft pink; you can’t help but feel a sense of tranquility. Then there are days the winds whip, the clouds a sinister grey, and the waves surge towards the shore in a manner akin to violence. On those days, I was always a little taken aback at its power, in awe of just how much force lay within when conditions were right. 

Seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time only magnified what I had come to know of the character of large bodies of water. The soft lapping of waves upon the shore I had come to know was amplified here. It was louder and deeper; the movement stronger. The sunrises and sunsets stretched further than my eyes could see, oftentimes stopping me dead in my tracks. I would stand there, dumbfounded with the magnificent beauty before me. I would walk along the beach, wading into the water, feeling the sand between my toes, the waves hitting my shins again and again in perfect rhythm. I started to understand how anyone growing up near such a place couldn’t help but fall in love. 

But, beauty isn’t the only character quality the ocean possesses. I distinctly remember another visit to the Pacific Ocean, this time the crashing waves were higher and stronger; the clouds hiding the sun and casting a grayish hue across the horizon. I waded in, but dared go no further than my waist, for even there, to stand my ground against the pull of the waves took a concentrated effort by all the muscles in my legs. The force of the waves was staggering. After being smacked full force a couple of times, resulting in a mouthful of salt water, eyes stinging, I moved closer to shore, fearing being pulled under, powerless against the magnetic pull. I was still drawn to the ocean’s beauty, but that day, the power I glimpsed instilled caution and a bit of fear as well.

Why do I recount these moments with you? Recently, cleaning out my closet, I found a picture I drew nearly five years ago while at a semester of discipleship school. It came from a few quiet moments when we were practicing listening to the Lord and asking if He had anything to show us. This picture is what came to mind. An anchor in the center of a mess of blue scribbles. There’s a heart around the anchor and all kinds of yellow light coming from the center and moving outward, shedding some yellow in the midst of the chaotic blue scribbles. The Lord was reminding me how He is my center – my anchor and that I am secure in His love. From that place of certain hope, light pours out (He pours out) and shines into every area of my life – illuminating even the darkest and most chaotic moments of uncertainty, fear, and doubt. 

So often, we focus on the beauty of the ocean. The still, lapping waves, lull us into a peaceful calm. But, within that same ocean is a mighty power, oftentimes terrifying to behold. I have never been in a hurricane or out in the open ocean when the swells reach upwards of 50+ feet, the weight and height of the waves daring any vessel to try and stand against it. All I can imagine is the sheer horror and panic that would set in upon seeing the full force of that wave about to break, knowing you’re powerless to stop it. 

Isn’t it the same with life? Aren’t the wonderful moments like the glorious days when you stroll along the beach, the sun beaming down, washing you in its warmth? The day you finally graduated after all those late nights and hard work, the moment you promise to spend the rest of your life with your best friend, or when you hold your precious and perhaps long-awaited little one for the first time. Maybe they are the simple moments – a game night with friends, sitting around the fire, sharing life and stories, baking cookies, laughing so hard you cry, cuddling with your dog on a cold day, or the first day you can drive with the windows down after a long, cold winter. Those are the days you see the beauty in life, when you can breathe deep and drink it all in, smile, and feel thankful and at peace. 

But within that same beauty is a mighty power. When conditions are right, storms will swell and waves will threaten to overtake you. There will be days when the skies are gray – unexpected sickness comes. Financial hardship descends. Tragedy strikes. Arguments arise between spouses, co-workers, even best friends. Trust is broken, liberties taken, and you feel battered and broken. Maybe even defeated. 

My friends, the storms will come just as sure as the sun will rise. 

What will you do when they hit? To what will you cling? Your own strength, will, determination? Your muscles cannot withstand the power of the waves; you are no match for an ocean.

There is only One who is. 

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf…” Hebrews 6:19-20

We will be hit with grief, sadness, and suffering. However, there is One who offers Himself as a lifeline, an anchor through the ebb and flow of gray and golden days. He is sure. He is secure. A boat out in the water will still get hit by the waves and it may seem like the waters rising around it will overtake it, carrying it farther out into the middle of nowhere, but if it is held by an anchor, though it may rock from side to side, it will not be swept away.

Jesus Christ is that anchor. 

He gave His life once for all, then rose again, shaming death forever and claiming victory. 

A victory He offers freely to you. 

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? ”The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

The hope He offers is not wishful thinking. It isn’t carried away at the slightest challenge or obstacle. It is solid, holding you firmly in place. It is a rock, a firm foundation that cannot be moved. God’s Word is true! Countless verses throughout Scripture sing, declare, and stand by His unchanging faithfulness. 

We can put our faith in this Anchor because it doesn’t depend on us. It all depends on Him! Thank goodness for that because He is a firm foundation, never changing. 

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.” Psalm 118:22

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Hope is found regardless of what the skies may show. Your Anchor will hold. Do you trust that? 

I can’t imagine the terror the disciples felt as Jesus slept in the boat as the waves threatened to capsize their boat any second (Mark 4). I imagine they felt helpless, terrified, and abandoned. But Jesus was there all along. Do you trust He is here? He is with you always? He has the power over it all, “peace be still.” As one of my favorite Bethel worship songs, “It is Well,” reminds me:

The waves and wind still know His name

Not only is He Lord over the physical elements in this world, He is Lord over ALL, which includes the emotional, mental, and spiritual. He has authority over darkness and fear. There is nothing you will face or a place you will walk through that He hasn’t already been. We must trust Him when He says He isn’t going anywhere; our Anchor will hold. 

Not only that, our hope is set – secure – we know how the story ends (or begins depending on how you look at it). That is the light that shines strong and true, cutting through the highest and strongest waves.

“Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” Psalm 139:12

Even the darkness is as light to Him. 

The waves may not diminish right away, the storm may rage on, but through it all, where are your eyes? I hope they are looking to His face. Because He is with you, because He has you, you will not be shaken. You must remember – He is with you always. 

So even here, even in the darkest night, you sense Hope. You sense peace and joy. Even if you cannot see it right away and all feels clouded, you trust it is there because He is there. It has nothing to do with your feelings, your senses, or your experiences, but has everything to do with Him – who He is and what He has done.

And because of that victorious truth, we can lift our hands in thankfulness – even in the middle of a storm.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Psalm 42:11

He’s got you.