Water, especially in the form of ocean waves, can be a very powerful force. Its might can be witnessed along many seacoasts. In some nations the power of the waves is harnessed to create electricity. Along all coast lines there are visible signs of water’s force.
Not all that is struck by wave action have the same reaction. Some swimmers find themselves knocked around by the waves at the beach yet on the very same waves many figure out how to float on top to body surf or catch a wave with a surfboard and use its power to their advantage.
Entire coastlines are formed in part by the force and direction of the waves. Some seem to withstand it and remain rather straight and stalwart, perhaps receding over time, but retaining their straight formation. Other coastlines are sculpted with curves, jagged edges, points and small coves teeming with lifeforms in their tide pools.
Standing on some beaches one can see many of water’s art forms. On the beach are rounded, smooth pebbles, worn and polished by time and water. However out in the water and, perhaps, on the sides of the beach can be huge rocks enjoyed by sea birds and people who feel the need to scale them. These rocks are rough and can scrape both hands and feet on attempted climbs. The same waves that made small, smooth forms also created rough-hewn, giant monoliths standing guard over the coastline. The very sand on the beaches is often a result of constant pounding until all that is left are granular flakes that were once large rock.
Life is similar to ocean waves. Life has a way of coming at us, one wave at a time. Life, like ocean waves, is relentless. It never stops coming. Some waves are larger than others. Some are caused by storms even far away. Some can come simultaneously from different directions. Life again is similar. A war in a country many could not previously have found on a blank map has affected us. Of course, not nearly as much as those living in and around the war zone, but the ripples of military strikes have reached our shores.
Sometimes we can stand strong like those majestic seaside cliffs. Sometimes we stand strong, but visibly scarred like those jagged coastline rocks. Many times what life tosses our way smooths us. We become calm, accepting, understanding and patience. Many of us have or will have physical evidence of life’s force upon us. Bent over, lines, wrinkles, gray hair, muscles and joints that no longer work as they once did, and eyesight that isn’t quite what it used to be. Some of life’s pressure creates mental issues of depression, anxiety, or fear.
We as followers of Jesus follow one of whom it is said commanded the waves and walked on water. That is, faith has a power. As life does its best at shaping and forming us, followers of Jesus have another force that molds us. Regular attention to worship, prayer, scripture and efforts to live as disciples cannot prevent the forces of life from having impact. They can, however, help us withstand those life forces, and, at times, help us become stronger, even using those forces directed against us to grow and deepen our faith and our person.
Life’s challenges are not all that has power and strength. Physics tells us to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Faith that allows us to pick ourselves up and follow again can be quite a strong opposite reaction. That is the force we disciples have given to us to encounter the actions of life and the world.