by Suzan Hughes-Kennedy
The Lord is good, a safe place in times of trouble. And he knows those who come to Him to be safe. Nahum 1:7 (New Life Version)
One of the paintings I have completed is a bird’s-eye view of the inside of a wave with a storm in the distance. I showed it to my aunt, and she told me that it reminded her of “the pipeline, the place surfers want to be – the safest part of the wave.” I named the painting “God’s Pipeline.” Wanting to write about the painting, I decided to double check my terminology. It turns out that “The Pipeline” refers to Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu, a very dangerous surfing location surfers flock to. Because of the coral reef just below the surf, many have died there. This is not what my painting was about.
I researched and learned that surfers seek a rideable wave on the horizon and paddle out to it, attempting to match its speed. The standing surfer, having caught the wave, rides down the face of it trying to stay just ahead of the breaking wave in “the pocket” or “the curl.” Beginning surfers have problems just catching the wave, and experienced surfers strive to ride difficult waves. It seems to me that the joy of surfing must be in that ride in “the pocket.” Maybe I should rename the painting “In God’s Pocket.”
The joy of my walk with Jesus is that I don’t have to worry about crashing in the world’s pipeline. I am protected from the reef of sin and unbelief through Jesus’ sacrifice. He makes sure I am riding on the front of the wave in “the pocket.”
Are you riding in God’s Pocket?
