Oceans of Faith

   The oceans of the world are cyclic.  The tides come in and raise the water levels and then recede, reducing the level.  Waves form far at sea and work their way to the shore, some small and some very large.  As they reach the shallow waters they crest and crash onto the shore and then recede, perhaps to form again in deeper waters.

   Faith is very like the ocean in some ways.  The tides of faith raise our awareness and closeness to God while the ebb tide leaves us in a calm.  These changes in faith can be beneficial.  We need to realize their graces and be thankful.

    If we glory with God in the high tides of His grace our faith grows.  We see the beauty of the world and everything He has created.  As the tide recedes we calm ourselves and come to know God on a deeper level.  Each phase is important to our faith.  They help us build our faith and rest in God’s love.

   The waves of faith are another way of growing our faith in God.  Our faith can quietly build in the depths of our soul and come crashing to the shore in wonder and awe.  We should ride those waves and revel in the joy God brings to our lives.  As the wave recedes back into the sea so our faith may recede into contemplation.  A time to truly recognize the gifts and blessings of God in our lives.  A time to anticipate the next wave, wanting to again experience the glorious heights of God in our life.

   Most things in nature ebb and flow in a similar manner.  To me it seems our Heavenly Father has given us an understanding of faith if we will only take the time to see and appreciate it.

   Just as the sun rises and sets so our faith rises in glory and sets in the love of God.  As the wind blows our faith can spread God’s love and the calm lets us quietly and reverently praise the Lord who gives us all things.  When the flower of our faith is in the bloom of spring we can be a great force in God’s kingdom.  In the winters of our faith we can deepen our faith, preparing for the blooms of the next spring of our life.

   We are part of nature, created by God.  Nature can help us better understand our faith life if we pay attention to its’ ways.  He has given us a means to recognize His majesty and love; we should take the time to appreciate it and give Him all glory and praise.