Living Water by Larry Garrett

Cover: Aaron Hughs

Have you ever had one of those surf sessions where no matter how hard you paddled you never seem to get to the line-up? For me, it always seems to happen when the waves are firing and you so badly just want to enjoy the set waves that have just come in from a long dry spell in the winter. I have to admit that those times are more frequent than I would like them to be.

The summer on the North Shore of Oahu is pretty flat and that means that when the winter surf comes in that I’m often overweight and out of shape. Sad to say that this also means that I am out of practice and it takes me a few surf sessions to shake the rust off of my shoulders. It is interesting how relateable this situation is for us when we are out of practice going to church.

When we are not reading God’s word like we know we should. It only takes a few times of not being around like-minded and a good community for us to forget that staying connected is important to living a successful Christian life. I know this is why the Bible says, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” Heb 10:25. This makes the most sense to me when I am paddling into my same surf spot and I see the boyz out there and get a Chee Hooo when they see me. It is just that expression of belonging and encouragement that I need to keep enjoying the stoke of life in the water.

Having a good community in a church is no different. We are to encourage one another in our faith with an expression of excitement and acceptance. A way to say that we all belong to the same Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The next time you find yourself stuck on the inside and need a little encouragement remember these words. If you are coming to the Christian Surfers US National gathering come and find me and I’ll give you a big Chee Hoo!!!