I’ve never been a fan of the beach. My mom says that when I was a baby, I didn’t like touching the sand. If she tried to put me down, I immediately started crying and pulled up my legs.

My dad always said the sea made him feel sticky and actually only went to the beach to watch the rest of his children swimming. I preferred watching from the kombi.

It was only after I had my own family and we started spending holidays in the southern Cape that I started going into the water. Probably because the temperature was a bit warmer.

Then I discovered my hidden talent and started bodysurfing. It must’ve been a funny picture to see this body being rolled around by the waves, but I didn’t care, I loved it.

I could surf the waves for hours until I was exhausted and my mouth so salty that I had to stumble out on the beach to wash away the saltiness with a bitter one before tackling the waves again.

And as I lay on my back waiting for the next set of waves, I was amazed by the never-ending waves. On and on, day after day, year after year, the wind over the ocean keeps on collecting waves that keep on rushing to the beach.

James used waves as an example when we pray. He said: ^7-8People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

Waves keep on coming, day after day, year after year, eventually staying right there. If you doubt, faith washes away and we actually remain in one place. A little way forward, and back again, but nothing actually happens.

The waves are not stable. A soft breeze sends them in a specific direction. In the same way, someone who doubts or who does not firmly trust in God is attracted and motivated by any new thing. And probably in the wrong direction. Every feeling or thought awakened inside them become the basis of their conduct, with the net result that it is at the top one moment, and at the bottom the next.

One moment hope and faith drive the doubter to God, but when uncertainty comes knocking, the spirit is unsettled, just as unsettled as the movement of the waves on the ocean, and the person drifts around with no direction. Hope lifts you up, but doubt makes you sink.

Therefore, let’s not be like waves, but keep believing and hoping with everything in us that God will provide. Remember, ask and God will provide, or to put it even better, ask, trust, because God will provide.

Scripture
James 1:1-8

Reflection
Do you believe everything is possible?
Do you doubt sometimes?
What must you do to miss the wave?

Prayer
Lord, I must confess I doubt sometimes. All too often my life looks like waves. I really want to trust You in everything and I want to believe that You will always provide. Please help me do this. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.