Living Water by Jacob Galura

Image: Taylor Brant

This year has been an interesting one for sure, we've dealt with Covid, beach closures, canceled events and trips, and missed time in community together. The one bright side is that the surf where I live in Florida has been fairly good most of the year– even in the summer when it's usually a lake. Though, we did have one really not fun flat spell right at the end of the summer that lasted a couple weeks. During that time, I spent a lot of time wishing there was surf. I realize now that while I was sitting at home Netflixing, I was wasting time I could have spent out on the bike or doing just about anything else to keep myself in shape for when we inevitably did get waves again. 

Just like flat spells in the water, we go through flat periods in our walk with Jesus. This year I definitely found myself in one of those times. It's lame, I didn't feel far from God but it didn't feel like He was sitting on the couch next to me. It's like He was waiting outside for me to hang out. When you hit one of those spiritually flat seasons you have a couple options, you can be intentional and spend time with God to stay in spiritual shape or you can sit on the couch and veg out where you get soft.

For me, I'd rather paddle out in crazy onshore wind than deal with prolonged periods of lake-like surf conditions. I feel the same way with my life with Jesus, I'd almost rather know I'm going through a valley and being tested than be stagnant. At least at that point I know I'm in a battle, just like trying to get out in a big nor'easter session it's a fight you can see and definitely feel. Flat days test your discipline, just like spiritually flat times. Reading your devo and spending time in prayer is just as important as getting in the gym between swells. Staying spiritually fit in between mountain-top moments and walks through valleys are what keep you prepared for what comes next because we all know that there will be another swell, another test, another epic weekend like we had in the Outer Banks. Are you in the space between? What are you doing to stay ready?

1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!