No Shadow Of Turning

There is nothing like the sweet smell of ocean salt when you breathe hot air against your skin. The smell itself is not like a heavenly bliss where one would want to bathe in; however, the reminiscence of what brought in such a fragrance is.  Bliss.  

It has been a little over a year since I began my endeavor into the cool, rad, better-than-hipster, an-activity-that-gets-the-elderly-ladies, world of surfing. 

I evolved.  

I've seen the results of my metamorphosis this past week.  From surfing a 9 foot longboard to a 6 foot short-board, how could I not?  I am able to walk closer and closer to the tip of a longboard going up and down a glassy wave.  So glassy you can see your reflection on it. 

And in that moment of reflection, you begin to realize a little bit more what kind of power the ocean can have on your eyes.  

Even staring at a looming mound of water so beautifully shaped is something words cannot express.  On one end there's excitement.  And on the other, depending on how big it is, terror.  It isn't so much a terror that makes you want to runaway, rather, it adds to the rush factor, the excitement, the stoke, and the gravity of what lies down that wave:  Joy.

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It has been a little over a month, one and a half to be exact, since I began my step of faith into broadening my horizon of what ministry is.

I'm changing.

I've seen how relationships are affected by the community (can I say 'church'?) that you're in, or not in, during this short amount of time.  From serving a church for 8+ years to not being plugged into a community with accountability, how could I not?  I feel like I'm being tossed by the waves of temptation and the only thing keeping me afloat is the surfboard of conscience (yeah, I had to toss that in there).  

And in that moment of temptation waging war with your conscience, you begin to realize what a wretched soul you really are.

Even musing on the decision that I've made to say my adieus, I know...I know everything has changed.  On one end there's rest.  And on the other,  depending on how I fair upon this pilgrim's progress, fear.  It isn't so much a fear that makes me want to avert my resolve, rather, it adds to the understanding of my dependence on God's mercies, the strength that comes when you wait upon the Lord, the discipline it takes to shine His light, and the reward that awaits at the end of this narrow path: Joy.

There is a warm chorus being sung in my heart in spite of trials, faithlessness, or even change.

So, will you join me?

Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Father

 There is no shadow of turning with Thee

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

 As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

 Great is Thy Faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

 All I have needed Thy hand hath provided-

Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord, unto me...