NOW! Immersion.

I was watching an amazing documentary the other night about world class surfers who have walked away from taming the normal wave, to challenging 70 foot waves off the north coast of Maui in a place called Pe’ahi Jaws.  I’ve been to Maui and driven down to the area of Pe’ahi, but the big wave season had passed.  Nonetheless… the area was treacherous.

The surfers at Pe’ahi Jaws grab their gear, and head into the waters with jet skis and tow ropes.  The waves are so incredibly immense that the surfers must be towed into the wave by jet ski… and then it’s up to them to make it or suffer the consequences…broken limbs and sometimes death.

We can all agree that some things are just stupid.  We can all also agree that if you willingly walk into a hornets nest and bat it around… you can expect a sting or two.  But for some reason, this act of facing unimaginable power and force simply intrigued me.   At first glance, I’m thinking these guys are absolutely stupid… then I began to understand.  I’ve been tossed around by a 4 foot wave at Gulf Shores…

Can you imagine the adrenaline rush and the feel of absolute sobriety when these surfers crest the monster wave and begin their 30mph descent down the face… hoping to make it out alive?  Without regard to death… they are in search of moments of bliss while respecting the power around them.  With fearful respect, these elite surfers attack the wave with the understanding that this may very well be their last ride.  Each surf team has a crew of rescuers who are willing to risk their own lives to jet ski into this force and pull their brother out of harms way when things go wrong.

These guys… are immersed.

Maybe the only thing you’ll tackle today is a report that is due.  Or maybe you’re challenged to keep your marriage alive.  Or perhaps, your teenage son is just about to ruin his life with drugs… or maybe you are about to ruin your own life with addiction.

For the elite surfers… they are trained to approach these monsters in their life.  Even the best of the best is at risk of death with one wrong move.  Just like them… you’ve got some big waves coming in your life that you either face and ride… or let them roll over you and drown you.

If we all were only trained as well as the elite surfers to attack our monster waves in life.  I look into the eyes of Christian men on a regular basis and see training that is fit for wading… but certainly not surfing.  I’m not excluding myself either.  I am inspired by that “thing” that says… go all in!  Ride the big wave.

God calls us to the front lines.  It’s the off season that gives us time to prepare for the big waves to come rolling in during the winter months of our lives.  What are we doing to get ready?  We need immersion into our faith.  We need the attitude that we are thrilled to take on the monster waves… with the confidence that God will guide us to calm waters.

Pray.  Gather with your brothers.  Participate in Holy conversation.  Read God’s word.  Speak about your faith and what God means to your life.  Be a man.  Don’t back down.  Don’t give up.  Be prepared.

The big one is coming just over the horizon… are you ready?  Can you show your faith by how you live?

I pray each day that I have the courage to face such challenges with a faith that leaves me solely dependent upon God.  Walking each day in the knowledge that I could be crushed, tossed, and flung around like a lifeless ragdoll… leaves me totally aware of God’s power and grace.

Are you willing go out to the deep and take on the challenges that seem impossible?

We all can’t be down in the shallow end… the kiddie pool.  Somebody has got to step forward and show the rest of us that we CAN ride those waves.  It just takes leaders… and it takes guts.

Back to the surfers…I wasn’t so much impressed with the riding of the wave itself as I was the immersion into the pursuit.  This is a picture that I will hold for my faith life.

If a bunch of guys can ride a wave… then what can we do on dry land?

Peace,
Greg
Acts 4:31

About

Welcome, and thanks for dragging yourself over to Live|Bold! My name is Greg Arnold and I am pumped to see you here. This interactive online community is here to point every man toward the cross. Whether you have been a follower of Christ for ages, or you are just stumbling into this strange new world of faith, we have something of value to offer you. This online e-zine is a cross between a blog, a social network, a resource center, and a pulpit. My hope is to inspire you to live your faith on the outside and be a real man for God. We need you in the fight.