God is like the Ocean...

Last week, after a day on the beach, I had a really interesting train of thought while showering off the sunscreen and sand.  (I've always done my best thinking while in the shower!)  I was reflecting on the day, and thanking God for his beautiful creation by listing things I'd seen on the beach.

Well, doing so got me thinking: the ocean has so many of the same characteristics as God!

When I was growing up, I remember my mom posting a list she got in Sunday School of similes for God on the refrigerator, things like "God is like Coke...He's the real thing!"  But, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that the ocean is the perfect simile for God in many, many ways!

God is like the ocean...we'll never fully understand the depths.

In the same way we'll never experience the full depth of the ocean, we will never fully understand God while we are here on this earth.  One thing I think we as humans have trouble with is that God does not reveal everything about Himself to us.  It makes us doubt Him and struggle to have faith in Him.  The ocean is the same way--we can't see exactly what we're getting in to when we go in.  It requires a lot of faith and trust in the unknown.  

God isn't going to reveal His whole self to us.  Heck, we might not even fully know Him when we get to Heaven, since even the seraphim cover their faces in the presence of God (Isaiah 6:2)!  But, it requires us to trust in Him and take a leap of faith in living a life for Him.

God also said to Moses, "I am the Lord.  I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself fully known to them." 

Exodus 6:2-3

God is like the ocean...powerful and mighty!

I think this goes without saying, but the ocean is a very powerful (and dangerous) place!  There are strong waves, rip currents, wild animals, etc. that are a lot stronger than we are.  When we go in to the ocean, we really do put ourselves in its mercy when it comes to all of those things.  In the same way, God is all-powerful, and we are at His mercy in our lives.  He gives us free will, but ultimately He has the power to rule over the universe and all of His creation.

"Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit"

Psalm 147:5

God is like the ocean...full of life.

The ocean is full of animals, so many that we could never count!  God brings us life in the same way.  Living out His calling on our lives is what will truly fulfill us.  Living in Him is what will gives us a full life!

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

God is like the ocean...peaceful and relaxing.

I don't know about you, but I'm at peace when I'm near a body of water!  There's nothing quite like sitting on the beach with your feet at the water's edge, listening to the waves come crashing down then recede.

God is the same way.  If you fully rely on Him and rest in Him, He will bring you peace.  I am a worrier, but honestly, the times that I have turned a situation over to God to deal with, I have never felt more calm or at peace.  Being in Him is hard work, but it really can bring the best relaxation and peace you've ever experienced!

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid"

John 14:27

Side note: While I was thinking about this, the praise song "Your Love Never Fails" came to my mind. Well, when we went to church on Sunday, guess what was one of the songs the band played during worship?  Yup!  "Your Love Never Fails!"  I LOVE it when I see evidence of God speaking to me :)

Question for you: What simile for God can you think of?