The Sea Has Spoken

In my annual journey through the Bible I arrived this morning in Isaiah 23. In the middle of a prophecy about the ancient city of Tyre there’s the phrase ‘The Sea Has Spoken’.

I’ve lived by the sea for thirty-eight years. What does the sea say?

In ‘Deck of Cards’ a soldier boy explains his Christian faith through a pack of cards…

So…

When I see the sun shining on the blue sea I think of the God who created this wonderful beautiful world.

Swimmers remind me that God made people. I think of their good health, the healing properties of the sea.

I watch families playing by the sea, having fun, enjoying being together. I reflect on the God-given richness of family life.

Dog-walkers are by the sea. My caring, providing, master-God sometimes walks ahead, sometimes behind… sometimes keeps me on a short lead close to Him, sometimes it’s a long lead, sometimes I’m let off the lead…

There are men fishing. As I recall Jesus calling fishermen to follow him, I remember that Jesus calls me to follow him.

The sea speaks of baptism. There’s Jesus’ example and immersion, the picture of cleansing and forgiveness, the public declaration of faith.

I remember winter storms. The sea’s uncontrolled power. Those inevitable parts of life that are completely out of my control… Jesus is present in his disciples’ boat calming the storm. I trust the Jesus who controls the wind and waves.

Clouds above the sea… Sea water evaporates, rain falls on land, water returns to the sea – the water-cycle. God’s ongoing circle of life – the seasons… birth, life and death…

I look out to the horizon, where the sea that I can see ends. I know the sea continues beyond the horizon. I anticipate the time when life as I can see it will end, but I know it will continue.

…The sea is my Bible, my prayer book, my source of life lessons and the pointer to my Father-God.