I stand on the beach
Watching the sea
A wave comes in
I feel happy –fulfilled
The wave retreats
I’m sad – bereft
Yet the backwash for me
Is the swash for another
So I’ll no longer look
At each separate wave
But consider the tide
The ups and downs
The comings and goings
Of the tide of life
The vast ocean of God
So deep – unfathomable
That brings waves of blessing to all.
Psalm 95:5
Deuteronomy 7:13 & 28:6
An early January day
Beneath a leaden sky
On an angry racecourse sea
Jockey-less, majestic white horses
Pure white, no chestnut, bay or black
Prance and dance
Jostle and chase
Catch and overtake
Mercilessly wind-whipped
Toward the finish
A sandy-strewn end
Which is devoured and spat out
By the voracious equine monsters
As they cross the line.
Then nothing!
Nothing at all!
Just a dribble return
Lost to the vast ocean
Swallowed up for ever.
No losers!
No winners!
Standing at the edge of the land
Gulping down fresh sea air
Holding tightly to my father’s hand
I stare in awe at the ocean there.
I am eight years old but have never seen
Or smelt such purity
As much of my time has been spent underground
With no sense of futurity.
Now London and dark war thoughts are gone
Although barbed-wire reminders are here
We cannot yet go on the beach and have fun
For there are still many mines to clear.
I listen to the gentle waves
Lapping the shingle shore
During the war I had never heard
Such a soothing sound before.
My eyes sweep over the water
I am trying to think it through
“Does the sea stop when it reaches the sky
Where the green touches the blue?”
“No my child that’s the horizon
The sea flows much further away.
I was totally overawed by this thought
Mindful eyes were opened that day.
The horrors of war were left behind
The weeping and fear were past
I looked. I listened. I understood.
I was free! I was free at last!
When I feel I am like the small print
Never noticed nor properly read
Just a postscript or worse a small footnote
I need to look up to Jesus instead.
If I’m confused or rather bewildered
By the storm of life raging around
I must continue looking and listening
Jesus is always there to be found
When it’s dark; the boat’s tossing and turning
I’m not sure which way to go
I thought my way would be clearer
Now I’m doubting; I really don’t know.
Through the mist I see Jesus walking
I step out of my boat on to the sea
I really can’t believe He is calling
He says, “Come.” He has answered me.
So now when the storm is raging
I will not fear or look down at the sea
For I have the promise of Jesus
By faith know He’ll walk with me.
Walking on water is scary
But if my Saviour is walking with me
I have nothing to be afraid of
Not even the roughest sea.
Matthew 14:22-34
