Waves

I read in a devotion this week by Jacqui Thone:
“I watched the waves pushing against the rocks of our campsite – a reminder of the rhythm that is part of nature. The waves push and then recede. They can’t simply keep pushing – there must also be a time to recede in order for the next push to happen. It is creation’s way, and we are part of creation.”

This inspired me to check out biblically what role the waves play throughout scripture.

Genesis 1:6 – “ And God said, ‘Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’”

God created the oceans, lakes, rivers, creeks…

Psalm 65:7 – “You [God] silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.”

God not only created the waters but God in the midst of the rhythm that is part of nature. God is in the midst of the pushing and receding – the loud and the quiet – the scary and the joyful that is part of creation for both the waters at the people.

Matthew 8: 24 – “A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up saying ‘Lord, save us….’ Then Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and the seas; and there was a dead calm.”

In this Jesus wonders why the disciples have such little faith. God is in control – God is active in our lives – yet we continue to doubt God.

Matthew 14: 24 – “…but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he [Jesus] came walking toward them on the sea… So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.”

Jesus does the impossible. Yet, Jesus not only does the impossible but allows Peter to do the impossible. When Peter doubts Jesus reaches out his hand to raise Peter above the water.

So, in short I see a theme – God created the waters. God is in the midst of both the pushing and receding of the waves and our lives. God is in control and active in our lives. God gives us the ability to do the impossible and when our humanness calls on doubt – Jesus reaches out to raise us.

And all of this from looking up the word "waves". God can speak to us through creation - so let us recede for a moment and listen!