I like to think of the ocean as my friend, but when I went to see her today, I was met with an angry sea. I brought along beach chairs, a puzzle book, and cold drinks expecting a cozy visit, but when I stepped on her shore, she went stark-raving crazy, wild, and mad.
“What’s wrong with you?” I asked.
She howled, blew my hat down the beach, and spit at me.
“Are you angry about something?”
She didn’t answer, but I could tell she was by the way she tossed her waves around. They didn’t roll in smoothly the way they usually do. Instead, they broke in a thousand different directions, the pieces smashing against one another sending spray and foam flying.
I’m still not sure what the problem was, but I think she was having an argument with Wind.
I hate to admit it, but there are days when I am like Ocean who argues with Wind and then throws angry waves at everyone who dares to step on my beach. On those days, I, like the ocean believe that I am the King. If I stomp, and splash, and howl will I get my way?
Praise God, my sinful heart will not prevail! As the LORD informed Job, “I prescribed limits for [the ocean] and set bars and doors, and said, ‘Thus far you shall come and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed.” (Job 38:10-11) Ethan the Ezrahite wrote a Psalm that says, “You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.” (Psalm 89:9)
O LORD, be the boss of me. When I rage, still the storm in me.