I stood at the end of the ocean's tide listening to the lapping of the waves around the grains of sand by my feet. The rhythm of the movement was peaceful. If I closed my eyes the gentle rolling waves upon the shore soothed the moment.
That is why I go to the beach.
To soothe anxieties, to hear a different song, to rest in a rhythm so very different than the one I live day in and day out.
But on this day there was a battle between what my ears were hearing and what my eyes were drawn to out on the southern point from where I was standing. At this point along the cliffs the waves crashed over the rocks from currents coming from the south, west and north. The backsplashes from the turbulence caught my attention as a drastic contrast from the peaceful waters where I stood.
This point where the turbulent rhythm of the ocean waters collided was called the Restless Sea.
Here the waters were in constant motion and the collision of the currents felt so much like the season of life I was in. Life was a mix of ceaseless obligations to work, ministry, and family. The constant churning in my mind and heart drew me to this restlessness of the sea.
I recognized it for what it was right away.
The vastness of the ocean reminds me of how big my God is.
I struggle to rest in my smallness in this life.
So I go to the ocean to rest in the reminder of who God is and what He can do and how deep His love is and how wide His merciful arms reach.
As I sit or stand on the shores of the sea I find rest in knowing that though I stop the Lord is in constant motion, always working, never ceasing to have His hand, His way in my life.
That day the Truth was spoken to me ever so clearly about this constant motion of the sea that resonated so deeply with the restlessness within.
It was simply this:
" . . . being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. . ." Philippians 1:6
It was this working, His working within. The continuous renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2). Being shaped by the Potter as I ceaselessly spin around in this life (Is. 64:8). His hands, His Word constantly molding and making me more into His image (Gen. 1:26).
The making, molding, churning, turbulence in this life will continue until the day of completion, when Christ returns or when He calls us home. My restlessness is a longing for that homecoming as He works within toward the completion of His transforming power in me.
I am thankful for these moments of rest in the restlessness of life. The sea is always a sort of homecoming to this truth. Although this completion continues ceaselessly, I also find glimpses of soul rest in fellowship, worship and my own quiet moments with Truth. However, I am thankful that although I do take moments to stop and be still before the Lord, He is always working, always interceding, always drawing me to Him.
His restlessness in my life is for His glory alone.
May the Lord bless you with moments of rest today. Whether the waves are crashing all around you and you feel like you are drowning, or if earthquakes rattle your footing, or fires sear your heart may you find a moment of quiet rest to listen for that still small voice drawing you near.
Blessings,
Rachael