Revealings From The Beach
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“And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:5
I recently spent some time at the beach. It is my place to pause, relax, refresh, and re-focus. I ran and walked on the beach. I biked the paths and sat in a beach chair and listened to God speak in the beauty of His creation all around me. God reveals amazing insights and discoveries when we listen.
Listening was what God revealed to me first. My prayers were less words and more listening. I listened to the waves, the breeze, the rain, even the silence. God’s glory was revealed in it all. To reveal is to make something known, to disclose. God makes Himself and His will and desires known when we listen more and talk less and do not try to control. It is when we surrender and trust Him.
I wanted sunshine but there were times of clouds. It was in the cloudy times, I truly rested. There wasn’t anything else to do when it rained. All we had were bikes so we didn’t want to ride in the storms. God revealed to me the need to slow down and just be present with Him. Our bodies need rest – a complete slow down to nothing. Rest is needed so our system can heal mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
One day on our bike ride, the clouds were in the East and in the West but right above us the sun broke through the clouds showing the deep blue sky. God was telling me – you need to be in the moment. Do not focus on what was or what will be. Enjoy the current moment. We need to live now. Yes, planning is good and reflecting and remembering reveals our foundation, but we also need to enjoy life now. Not someday. Do it now. Take the trip! Book the flight! Laugh! God is with us in the present. God shines His light of love in the now.
When rain comes enjoy the rest. When the sun breaks through the clouds, enjoy the blue sky. Live in hope even in the struggles, the pain and the heartache of life. God is our ultimate hope. Pray through the struggles even when words do not come. Just trust, sigh and know Jesus is with you.
The beach is a great place to people watch and listen to how God sees people. There is no judgment at the beach. You can wear anything, be big or small and you are accepted. Your belly may hang out or you may be muscular. Everyone is the same. When you smile and say “hi” people are friendly. God calls us to be childlike – enjoy the simple things of life. Dig in the sand, chase the birds, giggle and jump in the waves. We take ourselves way to seriously and think we are to be the judge of others. Our job is to love people where they are. God is the judge. Just love and accept people. Be Jesus to them and stop controlling others. Be patient and humble not judgmental and prideful. Smile and talk with people.
While on the beach, I heard many different languages spoken. I did not understand their words, but I understood their laughter and smiles. Laughter is a universal language. So are tears. God made us to connect with others with our emotions. Start connecting and listening.
The waves are powerful and never stop coming no matter the strength of the wind or the calmness of the day. God is always present in our lives. Sometimes we recognize His power and presence through His strength, and other times God comes in the quietness or through a gentle whisper.
In my beach running, I learned to run closer to the water and the waves where the sand was more solid and I did not sink as much. Even though I was in the water more, I did not sink or stumble. In life, we may have to get a little wet. It is standing firm though, on our foundation and not go where we think it will be an easier way. That is usually when we sink and fall because we are farther from Jesus.
Enjoy the blessings and gifts from God. I did not earn or deserve a trip to the beach. It was a blessing from God. Recognize God loves you and provides blessings in our lives that we tend to disregard as from God. God gives. We receive. We do not deserve anything from God. It is God’s love, grace and mercy that God so freely gives.
Always look up. We were surrounded by angel wing clouds one day. These are thin clouds that look like the wings of angels. There were dozens of them. It was in that moment as I looked around me, I knew God’s host of angels were singing and my friend, Jan was with them. In that moment, I felt I released my friend to Heaven to sing with the angels. I felt a calmness and peace come over me. I miss my friend, but I know she is singing with the angels.
God reveals Himself when we listen and look. It may come in unexpected ways and even through disappointments and changed plans. God uses every opportunity to reveal His love and grace. Allow God to reveal Himself to you. Keep your eyes open.
