Facing Waves

My husband and I went to Oahu, Hawaii, in November this year for our 30^th anniversary.  We were not aware that November is the month Van’s Triple Crown holds its surf competition on the North Shore of Oahu close to where we were staying.  It was exciting to watch all kinds of surfers riding the huge November waves off the north shore.  We watched surfers on the beaches who were the best in the world and some just pretty good catching the great November waves.  Not many beginner surfers started learning to surf when the waves were the size they are in November—only the really adventurous or stupid.

As we sat on bleachers and watched some of the competition in Haleiwa and I looked out at those waves, I thought, I’ve had some big, honking November north shore Hawaii waves in my life.  Most of the time instead of surfing them I found myself with my nose in the sand of hopelessness, but I’m still up and attempting to learn to ride them well—or at least better.  Not because I’m adventurous or stupid—I just don't want to drown.

This week is Holy Week, yesterday was Palm Sunday and we reflected on Jesus ride through Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey.  People were waving palm branches and laying down their cloaks, fulfilling prophecy.  It was exciting.  I wonder if some of those same people who were waving the palms later found their noses rubbed into hopelessness as they watched while Jesus was crucified.

As Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples, it was clouded with the ominous knowledge of events to come.  On this holiday that held many happy memories of previously celebrated traditions for Jesus, He now prepared to celebrate His last supper with the people in whom He had the most hope.  People who were going to betray Him and deny Him; yet he washed their feet and prepared them for things to come in a very visual and meaningful way.  It was hard for the disciples to believe that they could let Jesus down, but they hadn’t yet met the wave and looked into its face.

Then there is the Garden scene where Jesus asks His followers to pray, but they can’t stay awake.   Jesus doesn’t even ask them to pray for Him, but pray for themselves that they will not fall into temptation--the temptation of fear and hopelessness in the face of the future coming events.  Jesus was well acquainted man’s tendency to despair, not from an outside perspective, but from dealing with His own humanity.

I tried to watch the Passion of Christ last night and couldn’t do it.  I recorded it to watch in segments because it overwhelms me to watch the whole thing at one time.  Yet, Jesus’ mother stood at the cross along with other women who stared right into the face of the wave watching what I can’t even bear to see reenacted.  The sword Simeon had told Mary about had pierced her soul, but she stood facing the wave head on.  No wonder God had chosen her to be the mother of the Messiah—she was a true woman of faith.

And then the best part of the story--the resurrection, even here we find fear and hopelessness and Jesus invades.   The women go to the tomb and can’t find Jesus.   The women “ran” and told Peter and John and they ”ran” to the tomb.  There is running and crying.  I would say it’s because it is women, but there are men involved here too.  

Even after seeing the empty tomb and believing, there was a lack of understanding and just a few verses down, there are the disciples together with locked doors out of “fear” of the Jews when Jesus invades and says, “Peace”.  Jesus doesn’t scold or say, I was trying to tell you, but you didn’t get it, or where’s your faith?  He accepts them in their weakness and offers them the Holy Spirit.

I am probably never going to learn to surf real Hawaii waves, but I do hope to improve in my surfing the waves that come into my life.  I am glad that I have examples of Bible characters who learned to surf too.  I feel a little more normal when I’m smashed into the sand.  I’m also glad that Jesus is interceding for me and I know that I can trust in His power—the power that raised Him from the dead and I know that He loves me enough to face the cross and bear the sin of man for me.  I am glad He is patient and bears with me in my weakness and offers me the gift of the Holy Spirit to assist me in my endeavors to surf my waves.

God, teach me to trust in you particularly  this week as I look at the beautiful story of Jesus crucifixion and the events leading to his death and resurrection, speak to me truth that will increase my faith and help me during times of confusion and fear to hear you speak “peace” into my soul.