I cleared off to the beach this afternoon for a while. The weather has been beautiful the last while, so I took the opportunity to have some time out on my own beside the sea, took the train up to West Kilbride.
I’ve been wrestling a bit with God the last few days especially. I seem to go through seaons when it feels like I’ve no idea what God is up to and it hurts more than I’d like to to. Equally, it also seems to be in the midst of those seasons when I get more opportunities to share Jesus with those around me. Maybe its like Goethe said, where there is a great deal of light, the shadows are deepest.
Today I needed some time out to just relax, not feel under pressure, and refocus on God. Being by the ocean (or water in general) always helps me do that. I spent a good hour walking waist-deep through the ocean, admiring the world around me, breathing deeply of the sea air and pouring my heart to God. I love how Spurgeon said it:
“The best style of prayer is that which cant be called anything else but a cry.”
On the reading front, I just finished off Jim Cymbala’s book. This month has been quite light on the recreational reading so far as I was doing a lot of reading for my essay on John’s gospel.* Now that it’s handed in I’m looking forward to some more books.
* Bibliography for essay, “Jesus Christ the Logos”
Käsemann, E. 1957 The Structure and Purpose of the Prologue to John’s Gospel.
Kelber, W.H. 1990 The Birth of a Beginning.
Martyn, J.L. 1979 History & Theology in the Fourth Gospel.
Peterson, E. 2006 Eat This Book.
Peterson, E. 2003 The Message Remix.
Stibbe, M.W.G. 1992 John as Storyteller.
Tasker, R.V.G. 1960 John.
i also find being in or near the ocean a very helpful thing, there’s the obvious beauty and relaxing sound and look of the waves, floating in the water. . . then there’s the instant perspective i get there – me – small, ocean/ big. . i feel more aware of the one who made things when i’m in, around or near what he’s made. Of course that goes without saying that i can feel aware of him when i’m with other people too – but i’d say that oceans and mountains, really seem to pack quite a whallop, leaving me in awe. . . something that isn’t easy to feel these days.
It’s true, I feel so much closer to God when I’m beside the ocean. There is a sense of vastness… who am I that you should care for me?