God taught me more about
His power during a recent trip to the beach.
It all started when my word for the day reminded
me of my powerlessness. I was reading in Romans
8:3,
“For what the law
was powerless to do in that
it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did
by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful
man to be a sin offering, and so he condemned
sin in sinful men.”
Yes, I am powerless. I know
that. It's easy to believe in my powerlessness,
but being convinced of it is another story.
That's why the early morning
adventure to catch the sunrise on the beach
was used to illustrate God's power to me in
a deeper way. It reinforced the message He longs
for me to accept regarding His power and mine.
He showed me the many facets of His power, which
helps me embrace my powerlessness.
The force of God's power
was obvious just walking to the beach before
sunrise. Although I couldn’t see the ocean,
I could hear it even from a distance. Once I
arrived, the immensity of the ocean contained
in the crescent of the Gulf of Mexico was a
sight to behold. For as far as I could see there
was no end to the watery expanse that lay before
me. Past experience reminded me that the force
of this water had the power to annihilate every
building, bridge, or structure that existed
in the proximity of the shore. Yet, I felt completely
safe in the presence of this forceful power.
The waves pounded on the white sand beneath
my toes yet came no further. It showed me God's
power and restraint. God has the power to use
the wind and waves to destroy or give life.
As I listened to the wind and waves, I was reminded
of His controlled power. The vast power of God
displayed in the Gulf of Mexico brought strength
to my soul. I witnessed how His power, contained
by His purpose, delighted the beach goers, including
myself.
My adventure was perfectly
timed to allow me just the right moment to witness
the sunrise. This magical moment of the day
helped me to recognize God's transforming power.
Before the bright orange ball was visible, the
color of the water I was sitting by appeared
to have a greenish tint. Although I had never
been to this particular beach, I had been to
this part of Florida before; and the water wasn’t
the color I expected from this pristine shore.
As the sun rose in the east, the universe was
highlighted in shades that perhaps mirror some
of the colors of heaven. It was a spectacular
display of power that lasts only for a brief
encounter and is reserved for the few who rise
early enough to seek it. Once the day dawned
and the sun was well above the shore, the sky
and the water were their expected blue. It reminded
me that God’s power transforms what is
and reveals what is really there.
My third sense of the power
of God was when I sat down on the beach, a heart
filled with delight and appreciation for the
reality of my powerlessness and His power. And
as if on cue, God sent a large fish to jump
from the depths of His creation. Shortly thereafter
He blessed me with laughing dolphins that highlighted
the morning adventure—as if sent just
for me to remind me that He has the power over
the powerful sea and even the delightful creatures
that swim there. Nothing is beyond His power
if He wills it. My heart was full of gratitude
that this day His will was this experience of
His power and my powerlessness and the chance
I have to share them with you.
