My Ocean Reflections

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning;  great is thy faithfulness, O Lord!         ~ Lam. 3:22-23 ~

So here we are at the ocean at our favorite getaway by the beach. I sleep beside an open window, listening all night to the waves. We get to come here once a year and it is a place for me of healing, of being still, of listening for the whispers of my Lord and for the receiving of wisdom. I am always so intrigued and engaged by the personality of the ocean. In fact, it really reminds me of - and so wonderfully demonstrates - the character of our Almighty God who made and rules the heavens and the earth, and that includes the ocean. Oh, how the sound of the ocean can exude such a calm, peaceful and serene atmosphere that envelops my soul, captures me, and then replaces my worries and concerns with its own calming presence. It's like it just draws my stuff out of me so gently and then - almost surprisingly - a change takes place in me. Like the words of the song, "Change my heart, oh God; make it ever new...," the ocean, without a glitch, causes a quiet conversion of my heart. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled; neither let them be afraid."  (John 14:27) And what about the waves? No matter what the size, they just keep approaching the beach endlessly...relentlessly...timelessly. They are faithful to their calling. So it is with the Lord's faithfulness. It is God's declaration every day, every night, every week and month and year, to be endlessly, relentlessly, timelessly faithful, always approaching us with His gentle presence. "...Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)  "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)  One more thing: If you shut your eyes and listen, maybe you can see the ocean; maybe you can hear the sound of the waves. Or maybe you can hear the whispers of the Lord, "My peace I leave you, and my faithfulness, as always...is yours." Sea-breezed and Loved by Him, Greg