Jill Johnson
By JILL JOHNSON
I love the beach. I am not necessarily fond of getting in the ocean, but I love everything else about it. The sound of the waves and the smell of the salty air seem to always calm my heart and soul.
We were at the beach several weeks ago, and the ocean waves were probably the calmest I have seen them. It almost looked like a lake; it was so still. The calmness allowed us to see how clear and beautiful the ocean was.
My grandchildren have been at the beach this week for fall break. What a difference for them, as the ocean has been very rough with high waves due to a storm.
I was thinking about the waves and the similarities to my life. There are days at the beach when the waves are calm, the water is peaceful, and the skies are clear. It can feel like you have no worries at all.
In the same way, my life can have days like that. Everything can run smoothly, on schedule, and with no issues. Those are the times when it's easy to trust God's plan and appreciate how good our life seems.
But then there might be days when the waves are rough, storms have rolled in unexpectedly, and the wind increases. The ocean becomes a little scary and difficult to navigate. At times, our life can feel the same way.
We might have an unexpected financial issue, a diagnosis we weren't prepared for, a job loss, or disappointments that cause turmoil. Fear can take over. Life can change quickly, just like the conditions of the waves and water can fluctuate. However, the truth is the waves may change, but the ocean still remains.
In our lives, our circumstances might constantly change, but God is still God. He never changes, no matter what is going on in our lives. Our circumstances do not change how good He is. James 1:17 says, "For I the Lord do not change," and Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." God never wavers.
Regardless of whether your life is calm or stormy, His love, mercy, and faithfulness will always remain the same. He is the steady constant in our life. It's much easier to trust God when life is calm and running smoothly. It becomes harder when things are complicated with fear, disappointments, tests, and trials. But the fact is, our God never changes. He has it all under control and is faithful on ALL our days - calm or chaotic - He is there.
A favorite line in a song I love says, "Even though I'm in the storm the storm is not in me." The God who carries us through our calm and peaceful days is the same One who will carry us through the rough and trying days. We do not face them alone.
We can't allow the storms of life to become our focus. When the waters of life become uncertain, we have to keep our eyes on the One who never changes.
I love the ocean on a clear day or a stormy one. I definitely enjoy it more on the clear days, but watching a storm can be captivating and will keep your attention. That's the key when life gets hard. Just like the waves in the ocean, our lives will have highs and lows. We can't let the storms overtake us. We must take captive every fearful or anxious thought and place our eyes and focus on the only One who can be our calm in the storm.
Always remember the same God who is present when the seas of life are calm is still present when the waves of life are crashing around us. Don't focus on the size of the waves but on the One who created the ocean!
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Jill Johnson finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother, and Georgian. Jill is retired from the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.
