Jerry and I recently took a trip to the beach. We are not summer beach goers, however when your daughter invites you to join her family oceanfront at a beach you’ve never been to, you say, “Of course!”
Time spent with three of our younger grandchildren—wherever it may be—is always a joy and blessing. Sandcastles, little girls wanting to be sand mermaids, collecting shells (even the broken ones), and waves hitting against their little legs are treasured times to behold.
Since I can’t be in the sun too long without cooling off, I loved going to the pool to help my granddaughters learn to swim and be brave in deeper waters. We delighted in how the kids felt free to run to our room for snacks, coloring, or just being with us. Truly, we enjoyed our
time.
But in the middle of all that joy, Jerry and I also found moments to be together—and moments to be still with our great Creator, who laid out the massive and majestic sea before us.
God’s Power in the Ocean
Seeing the sunrise and sunset over the ocean is breathtaking. One early morning, before the crowds came, the Holy Spirit rushed into my heart like one of the waves and reminded me of God’s power.
- God created the vast earth and everything in it.
- He set the land and sea, sun and moon in place to order our days.
- The mighty, unstoppable waves remind me that the same power holds me together in calm and in storms.
“You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.”
(Psalm 89:9 ESV)
“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”
(Psalm 107:29 NIV)
God’s Love Runs Deep
The ocean’s depth is beyond what man can reach. In the same way, God’s love runs deeper than any human love we could ever know.
Even if every earthly love failed me, I would not be shaken, because God’s love is what gives true peace—a peace no one else can touch.
“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”
(Psalm 147:5 NIV)
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:7 ESV)
Broken but Beautiful
As my grands collected seashells, I wanted them to pick only the perfect ones. But many of the broken shells were beautiful in their own way. In my granddaughter’s eyes, even the cracked pieces were treasures.
And in God’s eyes—you are precious too. Even in a broken world, He calls you beautiful and keeps you close.
“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.”
(Psalm 36:5–6 NIV)
God Never Changes
One afternoon, the waves overtook the sandcastle Papa and the kids had built. Little by little, the structure was washed away until it was gone. Life can feel like that sometimes—overtaken, washed away.
But God does not change. When we put our trust in Him, He remains our strength, our shield, our firm foundation.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
(Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
(Psalm 28:7 NIV)
Washed in Power and Peace
I will never fully understand God’s ways. But each day I can live knowing:
- He is with me.
- His majestic power sustains me.
- His peace, grace, forgiveness, and joy wash over me like the waves.
As I watched the sunrise reflecting over the water, I thought: This never grows old. And neither does the majesty and peace of God as we follow His Son, Jesus, on our journey.
Grace and Peace be with you,
Pastor Brinda VanLeuven
