Thoughts on the Beach
Growing up, I had never been to the beach, and because of this, I didn’t get the hype. I’d heard some say that the sand was hot and clingy. I’d heard others say that the ocean was just a bigger Center Hill. I’d even heard the humidity could be insane, and the sun burns could be gnarly for some people. For a child who knew no better, this was all the beach was and could be, so I never sought it out.
As I got older, I began wondering, “If the beach is so bad, then why do so many people pay so much money to go?” There had to be something more to the beach than scorching sands and sticky air. When I got invited by a good friend (our very own Jacob Parsley) to go with his family to the beach, I decided to experience it for myself. I could finally find out if the beach was worth its salt or not. (Pun intended)
I’ll never forget that first time seeing the ocean. I’d never felt so small before. Though the lake is a decent size body of water, nothing compared to the gulf that stood before me. The air was humid for sure, but I’ve never felt anything as refreshing as a cool ocean breeze. The sand, though clingy, was therapeutic, and there’s nothing quite like having your feet in the sand, enjoying the sound of the waves and the sound of various creatures singing their instinctive songs. I fell in love with the beach, and I’m still enamored by it.
No one else’s experience ever helped me fall in love with the beach. No amount of personal testimony could ever speak to the beauty that is the sea. No perfect portrait could ever capture the feeling of grainy, warm sand. No video clip could ever do justice the relief that a cool gust of ocean breeze brings. I had to experience it myself.
This is the same with God.
People need not to simply hear about God’s love. They must experience it. Too often, we rely on efforts to teach others about God’s love, rather than create spaces for people to feel it. We think that if I tell them enough Bible studies or recite enough Christian anecdotes, they’ll almost magically come to a full understanding of the Creator of the Universe. Yet, none of us learned our way into grace; we were lovingly called to it.
Unlike the beach, though, we can’t drag people to God. There’s no sure fire way to make someone feel loved by God. I think that’s why we fall prey to constantly trying to teach people about it. We hope that if they can somehow logically rationalize it, maybe it’ll transfuse into their hearts. Don’t get me wrong; teaching is important and has its place. But I believe there’s a better way to reach the lost. As the Holy Scriptures tell us, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”
From the beginning of time, God has invited people into the beauty that is being co-creators and co-laborers with Him in bringing life and light to the world. And as John 3:16 so famously reminds us (and truly the entirety of the entire Bible), God acts not out of arrogance or obligation, but out of His love for us. Thus, we too must be driven not by culture wars, a defense of our faith, or a need to be proven right. Instead, we must mirror YAHWEH and chase down the lost in love, mercy, and grace. When Christians resort to knowledge over compassion, it’s like throwing beach pamphlets at someone saying, “Fall in love with this beach; you must!”
So, be like the Parsleys and take someone to the beach. Love them towards the deep depths of God’s love. Love them towards the infinite grains of God’s grace. Love them towards the relieving gusts of God’s justice. Love them into the arms of Jesus.
As I got older, I began wondering, “If the beach is so bad, then why do so many people pay so much money to go?” There had to be something more to the beach than scorching sands and sticky air. When I got invited by a good friend (our very own Jacob Parsley) to go with his family to the beach, I decided to experience it for myself. I could finally find out if the beach was worth its salt or not. (Pun intended)
I’ll never forget that first time seeing the ocean. I’d never felt so small before. Though the lake is a decent size body of water, nothing compared to the gulf that stood before me. The air was humid for sure, but I’ve never felt anything as refreshing as a cool ocean breeze. The sand, though clingy, was therapeutic, and there’s nothing quite like having your feet in the sand, enjoying the sound of the waves and the sound of various creatures singing their instinctive songs. I fell in love with the beach, and I’m still enamored by it.
No one else’s experience ever helped me fall in love with the beach. No amount of personal testimony could ever speak to the beauty that is the sea. No perfect portrait could ever capture the feeling of grainy, warm sand. No video clip could ever do justice the relief that a cool gust of ocean breeze brings. I had to experience it myself.
This is the same with God.
People need not to simply hear about God’s love. They must experience it. Too often, we rely on efforts to teach others about God’s love, rather than create spaces for people to feel it. We think that if I tell them enough Bible studies or recite enough Christian anecdotes, they’ll almost magically come to a full understanding of the Creator of the Universe. Yet, none of us learned our way into grace; we were lovingly called to it.
Unlike the beach, though, we can’t drag people to God. There’s no sure fire way to make someone feel loved by God. I think that’s why we fall prey to constantly trying to teach people about it. We hope that if they can somehow logically rationalize it, maybe it’ll transfuse into their hearts. Don’t get me wrong; teaching is important and has its place. But I believe there’s a better way to reach the lost. As the Holy Scriptures tell us, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”
From the beginning of time, God has invited people into the beauty that is being co-creators and co-laborers with Him in bringing life and light to the world. And as John 3:16 so famously reminds us (and truly the entirety of the entire Bible), God acts not out of arrogance or obligation, but out of His love for us. Thus, we too must be driven not by culture wars, a defense of our faith, or a need to be proven right. Instead, we must mirror YAHWEH and chase down the lost in love, mercy, and grace. When Christians resort to knowledge over compassion, it’s like throwing beach pamphlets at someone saying, “Fall in love with this beach; you must!”
So, be like the Parsleys and take someone to the beach. Love them towards the deep depths of God’s love. Love them towards the infinite grains of God’s grace. Love them towards the relieving gusts of God’s justice. Love them into the arms of Jesus.
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