The smell of the ocean as the tide moves forward and back across the sand. The ocean breeze blowing across your face, and the feeling of the sand between your toes. The sound of the water splashing and kissing the sand on the shore before pulling back into the sea. We’ve all experienced the beauty of the ocean and being on the beach. The way the horizon seems to stretch out forever is breathtaking and peaceful.
This past week, I met up with a friend who has been mentoring me in my photography studies. We were talking about classes, jobs and the future -- all conversations college students avoid, but we have to discuss some day. At one point, I was asking his opinion on my career options and what classes I should take, and he used a metaphor that has stuck with me. He related life to the ocean. It went something like this:
"The ocean has high and low tides. The water comes in and rises across the sand, and then it goes out, leaving sand that seems to stretch miles wide. The tide is a metaphor of our lives. When the tide is up, we are running and flourishing whether it’s in our jobs, school, or something else we are pursuing. We are happy and content.
"But as soon as that tide starts to go out, we are lost and stuck. Everything feels out of our control like it’s falling out from under us, much like the sand that is being pulled back out to sea. As the waves recede, the sand runs out from under our feet making it hard to stand. Much like when we feel out of control or not sure what to do."
In church a few weeks ago, the pastor spoke about how we all want to run through life. We want to know the next three steps and what to do to get to them, but God likes to walk. He likes to walk and enjoy the scenery. We have all experienced being uncertain about something and wanting to fix it and fix it now. That’s how we are designed. We don’t like to not be in control and we don’t have much patience to wait.
This is kind of where I’m at, right now. I thought I knew what I wanted to do with my life, but so many different paths are being laid out in front of me. What path do I take? Can I take multiple paths? Can I know the future right now so I know what to do in the coming weeks?
Sadly, none of these questions can be answered. Not right now, anyway. I am running ahead and God wants me to stop and enjoy the ocean. Watch the tide roll out and know that it is coming back. I feel wobbly and like I’m standing on sinking sand, but I’m not going to fall. The tide is moving. I just have to brace it and wait for the water to rise. I am at a standstill, but that's okay. The water always returns to the shore. I just have to stop and enjoy the view.
