For the past few days, Emily and I have been holidaying around Fiji, The Great Barrier Reef and Sydney. Since so much of our time has been spent in the tropics, we've been at the beach a lot. With the beach comes the ocean, and with the ocean comes rest, relaxation and the handiwork of God Himself. I'm feeling refreshed and full of a new sense of how God manifested himself in Creation, all for the glory of Himself.
This may be an opinion, but I believe there's nothing on earth quite like standing beside the ocean. It's completely different than standing next to any pond, lake or river. The ocean is unique to itself, while other bodies of water seem almost hypocritical compared to its vastness. The way it seems to breathe on you with a steady breeze that can be felt coming off of it constantly is something like the sign of life coming from underneath it. The vastness of it stretching further than any eye can see and seeming to disappear somewhere way off in the distance leaves no room for judgment on those who came before us believing the earth was flat and that if you went too far you'd fall off.
Honestly, if God were to wrap Himself up in one natural resource, I believe it would be the ocean. The ocean gives life and takes it, while we sailors merely skim the surface. It covers 70 percent of the earth, while raindrops only form it. It's peaceful and chaotic, and it's absolutely magnificent how it all works. The power coming from the sea can be enough to destroy entire cities and yet gentle enough to float along the shore on a lazy current. It's like the gateway to Heaven that God holds the door to. While we can only see the surface, below it hides a completely different, underwater world full of beautiful colors, life and buried treasure. It's a world we hear about but don't necessarily understand until we see it, and although we can see parts of it, it's something we can never see the entirety of, just like our Creator.
I believe it's true: "This world can be ugly, but isn't it beautiful?"
What are some parts of nature that make you feel small or in awe? Take some time this week and spend a few moments with whatever that is, trees, mountains or fields, and feel small. It'll be good; trust me.
- Cliff
Cliff's Note: "A smooth sea never made for a skillful sailor."