Monday, December 8, 2008
I remember about 10 Years ago in Cape Town, the surf was cranking and Deon wanted to take some pictures. We ended up at Outer Kom in Cape Town. The waves were massive, massive, massive! Bigger than anything I had ever seen or surfed. With 30 people on the shore watching and about 5 people out in the water at the outer reef, I realized the safe option, the best choice would be to join the watchers on the shore and call it a day. Some how I talked myself into going out, suited up and stood at the edge of the inlet waiting for a lull. As I jumped and hit that water I realized I was no longer in control and was at the full mercy of the ocean. A current swept me right into the middle of the inside bay to be beaten down right in front of 10 foot waves breaking onto shallow reef. After every wave crushed me, the current would suck me right back into the impact zone and hold me there to be beaten again and again and again. I was even unable to use the classic surf enema escape which was turning to shore and allowing the white water to push you in. After 15 minutes in the washing machine, I reached that place where I was literally begging for my life realizing this was not fun and games anymore. I was scared, humbled, desperate, out of control and finally at that familiar place most of us get to at different times of our lives, when I cried out with the infamous prayer “God, I need you, please save me, help me!!!”
It was after these words came out of my mouth that the ocean literally went calm and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God had heard my cry for help and had attended to it. It was a miracle! The God of the universe had responded to my cry!
The calm seas offered me a choice I had to make quickly... paddle back to shore and live or use the opportunity to paddle to the outer reef to join the 5 guys and surf the biggest waves of my life risking being maimed or possibly killed :)
I chose to surf... And it was insane! It is still to this day the biggest waves I ever surfed and I will never forget the mountains of water I paddled over and into and the best part is I lived to tell the tale.
EXCERPT:
“The mundane is not really the best context for a miracle. When we play it safe, we squeeze God out of the formula. If we go only where we know and do what we’re certain will succeed, we remove our need for God. Whenever we respond to God’s invitation, our need for God becomes heightened. When ever we take on a God-sized challenge, self sufficiency is no longer an option.” Chasing Daylight pg. 82
There is something to be said about getting to the end of ourselves... it’s at that place where our hearts are truly turned to the Lord and our need for him comes into focus.
There’s a reason Jesus wanted the rich man to sell all he had and follow him. Jesus wants us to get out the kiddy pool and wade out into the deep where He is our control, He is our sufficiency and hope. It’s scary but it’s the stuff God’s men are made of!
PRAYER:
God may we respond to your call from the deep. Release us of the fear of failure and loss and may our trust and hope be firm in your promises to feed and clothe us.
Blessings, Rob
The picture is from that day, a little unclear but I am somewhere below the strand of white water.
