Did you recognize that poor guy on the left side in this picture? He definitely saw the wave, and the other surfer who got to catch it instead of him. What might he (the one still paddling) be thinking? I would assume that he isn’t quite satisfied with the situation. He will have to dive under the wave the other guy caught. The people at the beach will only remember that other guy’s ride if there won’t appear a good wave for him. It’s his decision to wait or to quit.

I myself have been in a situation like this. I actually would say it’s a recurring situation in my life. I’m not a surfer, although I wish I was, but in a situation where I could see others have their perfect ride and I had to dive. I had to hold onto my board that was attached to my leg, hold my breath, close my eyes, and trust that the wave wouldn’t swirl me.

I want to give you some examples what those waves might have been:

• The job of your dreams
• An opportunity you have been waiting for
• A partner, a relationship
• Dreams you had to let go of
• Friendships
• Appreciation, recognition
• A leadership position

Every time I went up, there was either a calm sea or another wave. Let me explain something to you about those two options:

The calm sea

It is hard to believe that new waves will somehow appear when you look at a calm sea. But I have realized that during those times the rest I get is the most powerful. During those times I can refocus my point of view. Maybe the wave wasn’t as good as I thought it was. “Maybe” it was for my good that the wave I missed passed. “Maybe” God has something bigger in store for me! “Maybe” I should trust him even more because He knows what I need and He has a better wave for me to catch and surf! And “maybe” he wants to prepare me to be able to catch the wave He will send.

The other wave

I want to rephrase it, maybe the other wave is YOUR wave! Do you know who forms those waves?

“For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar.”

The Bible, Isaiah 51:15, NIV

It is God himself. You can learn how to catch and surf a wave, you can buy the best equipment, but God decides whether there are going to be waves or not. So don’t be disappointed when you had to let go of that other wave, because God will form your wave when you are able to surf it.

Letting go of the thought that I could have caught that wave and I would have been able to surf it isn’t easy. Sometimes during the dive, I swallow salty water, open my eyes and maybe lose my board. It feels quite uncomfortable. But I can spit out the salty water, clean my eyes and get back on my board. And that might be easier than realizing that I caught a wave which wasn’t mine and that I would have to paddle all the way back to the position I am at right now. A position where I am focused on the Lord, His plan, and ready to catch the wave He has ready for me. And only He knows how big this wave will be! Don’t ever underestimate Him and His power.