I was watching an amazing documentary not long ago about world class surfers who have walked away from taming the normal wave, to challenging 70 foot monster waves off the north coast of Maui – 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, and what I saw was amazing enough.

The surfers at Pe’ahi Jaws grab their gear, and head into the water to tackle the waves not by paddling out, but 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 the surfer to let go and simply survive.  Many have had broken limbs and some found death.

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?  With fearful respect, these elite surfers attack the wave with the understanding that each wave they catch , may very well be their last ride.  But there is an interesting side story.  Each surf team has a crew of rescuers, perched on jet skis, ready to risk their own lives by knifing right into the force of the wave and pull their brother out of harms way when things go wrong.

Everyone is on watch, no one goes in without back-up, and no man is without a team of brothers ready to risk their lives to keep each other safe.  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 or daughter is just about to ruin their life with drugs… or maybe you are about to ruin your own life with addiction.  These are the Jaws of Pe’ahi in life – giant waves rolling in.  Are you ready?  Do you have back-up standing by?

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 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! If we all were trained and disciplined as well as the elite surfers – we could attack the monster waves in life with certainty of rescuers standing by.

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

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.

As for the surfers…I wasn’t so much impressed with the riding of the wave itself as I was impressed with the immersion into the pursuit.  This is a picture that I will hold for my faith life.  C’mon man!  Someone tow me into the face of this life… I’m ready to ride!  You better be standing by… I will return the favor.
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