Sunday Morning Serenity

Do you know what I love about the sea? Everything, but especially the wonder of the waves. I know there's science behind them—wind and water temperature and the depth of the ocean floor. But it's hard to think about that when I watch them rolling in. All I can do is stand amazed. Every wave that washes against the shore has the same expanse of eternal waters behind it, yet every one is original and makes its own special mark in the sand. I'm still making my way through the Old Testament and just finished the Book of Nehemiah. What, you might ask, does this have to do with ocean waves? Well, one of the many great lessons of Hebrew history is that one person can make a difference. The third time the Jewish people returned from exile, the walls of Jerusalem lay in ruins, leaving the city unprotected. Nehemiah left a comfortable post in the Persian government to return to his people, rebuild the wall, and restore a system of justice to the city. Together with Ezra, he led a spiritual revival, bringing what remained of the Hebrew nation back to their faith and renewing their covenant with God. Maybe we aren't all called to lead a nation. But we all have a special mark to leave in the sand. And every person who is willing to be used has the potential to shape the shore in a profound and wonderful way. [Image by Melodi Ustenor @ Freerangestock.com]