Are You a Wave or the Ocean?

1 John 2:15-17 (New International Version)

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

A little wave was bobbing along in the ocean, having a grand old time. He is enjoying the wind and the fresh air, until he noticed the other waves in front of him, crashing against the shore.

"My Goodness, this is terrible!" The wave said. "Look what is going to happen to me!"

Then along comes another wave. Seeing the first wave, looking grim, and it said to him, "Why do you look so sad?"

The first wave answered, "You do not understand! We're all going to crash! All of us waves are going to be nothing! Isn't it terrible?

"The second wave replied, "It is you who does not understand. You aren't a wave, you're part of the ocean."

When we shift our focus from God to the world, we become a mere wave. Sometimes, we soar up high by world's respect and compliments. Other times we are rolled deep down by disappointments and feelings of worthlessness, and still other times, we crash at the shore of sin and vanish by death.

We become helplessly led by the world's winds of social acceptance or acquisition by any means. But when deeply rooted in Jesus Christ, we become part of "the Living Water" (John 4:10). As "living" water, we may experience emotional or physical waves, but we are strongly cushioned by Jesus' peace, grace and care. We become the light and salt for the world.

Rejoice - you belong to The Living King of Kings. You are His own child and will never be forsaken.

Dear Lord help us remember that we are more than a wave but that we are part of the ocean. We pray that we would be deeply rooted in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.