Let the sea ROAR!

Walking along the beach in San Diego with my wife, we began discussing the beauty of the ocean and comparing it to the mountains. A native of Colorado, and a little squeamish about water, Cindi prefers the mountains. I love them both. The mountains speak to me of majestic splendor, a quiet, peaceful awesomeness, an unmovable strength. The great oceans communicate a wild unpredictability, an untamable strength, a consistent activity of breaking waves that lulls you into a cautious comfort with nearby danger.

Sunrise over El Capitan

Every time I witness the beauty of Creation,  I reflect on how it speaks to the personality of the Creator.  I still remember taking the picture of El Capitan early one morning in the Sawtooths. It was a beautiful, clear quiet, morning and I had wandered to the shoreline. Words such as Strength, Eternal, Unchanging, Persistent Presence and Beauty, all spoke to me of God's character. The mountains remind me of a verse that Cindi and I embraced during a difficult time of health and occupation issues years ago.

You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. 
(Is 26:3,4)

Oregon Coast - Summer 2014

Every time I watch the ocean and it's endless waves, I am reminded of a quote from C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,  "'Safe?' said Mr. Beaver; 'don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.'"

God is not safe. He is not controlled by our emotions or attempted manipulations. We can't bargain with Him.  But in a dangerous, evil world, I don't want a 'safe' God. Witnessing the wildness of the ocean does not make me restless but peaceful. I know behind the wild waves is a God who is Good, who has '...plans to prosper (me) and not to harm (me), plans to give (me) hope and a future. 

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
...Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together (Ps 98:4-8)