Thursday, May 25, 2006

Surfing and the Transfiguration

At a recent conference I was able to skip a few workshops and connect
with one of my long time surfing friends that I havent seen since my
wedding. It was crazy. We picked up right where we left off. It was like a time
warp...Me calling him a sell out for wearing Quicksilver and him calling me old
school for renting a long board.

A storm was coming and the waves were amazing, but each swim back out
took about a 10 min (no exag) paddle. But, not to bore you, I caught the
perfect wave "storm"...a 24 ft swell that regrettably, eventually caught me and
slammed and twisted my knee really bad when I hit bottom. My days are
numbered. And...it snapped my rental.

But..the adrenaline rush was well worth it.
Afterwards, while checking out the local scene's food options God
impressed upon me how blessed we are for these unexpected "mountain top"
(or rather I should say, Wave Top, experiences e.g., Matthew 17:1-2).
Immediatelyfollowing the Transfiguration it was time to return to business:
squabbling disciples, dissension, forces of darkness, lack of faith, etc.
But...nonetheless, thank God for those Mountaintops. Like Finding
Waldo, its a lot easier to see God when youre riding the wave of your life but
if you look a little closer, you can still see Him when youre limping on
the boardwalk and having some fish and chips with an old friend. Despite
the pain..and the rust, I know that I'll be a happier man if I can return
to the ocean for a few more waves.

Carpe Diem