Riding the Waves

by Bob Setzer, Jr.
During our recent vacation at the beach, I did a lot of body-surfing. In fact, that is probably my favorite thing to do at the beach. Bambi is the sun goddess. I prefer frolicking in the surf.

For the uninitiated, “body-surfing” means to ride the waves with one’s body in a prone position, stiff as a board. The would-be surfer waits waist-deep in the ocean for the “right” wave to come along, meaning a wave large enough to propel the person forward but not so strong as to overwhelm him or her. When the swimmer commits to a wave, he or she stretches out with arms and legs suspended like Superman, rocketing through the sky. The wave rises and lifts the swimmer until he or she is skimming on the surface, hurtling toward shore. If all goes well, the swimmer may glide 20 or 30 yards before the wave sputters out or the surf becomes too shallow to support a swimmer.

When there is good symmetry between a swimmer and a wave, the resulting ride is exhilarating. To feel the power of the ocean surging beneath one’s body, spiriting one along, is to experience the playful abandon of the dolphins while leaving the landlubbers behind.

It struck me while riding the waves that this experience was an apt metaphor for authentic spirituality (Trust me. Preacher’s minds work like that). So often, spirituality is conceived as what we must do to make God pay attention or take notice of us. But what if God is not an impatient school master, waiting for us to turn in our lessons, but a glistening, swelling wave, inviting us to play? What if “being spiritual” is not so much about the religious games we play or the pious (or impious) words we use but learning to pick the best wave of the Spirit to ride? What if God is already at work, churning up the surf, and our job is but to join God in God’s mission, rather than stubbornly pursue our own plan or program?

Spirituality seen as Kingdom work we must doggedly pursue leaves us exhausted, while spirituality viewed as Kingdom work God will do while we wait for divine deliverance, leaves us immobilized. In truth, the best spirituality--the most transforming mode of discipleship--involves all the artistry and skill we can muster yoked to a heady confidence in the grace and goodness of God. As Paul writes to the Philippians, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”--a strong affirmation of human initiative--“for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure”--an equally strong affirmation of the buoyancy and momentum of grace (Phil. 2:12-13).

Sure sounds like body-surfing to me.