Living Water by Colbi King

- WSL / KELLY CESTARI

There have been times when I have to paddled my little heart out for over 25 minutes to get to the outside. Times, where it seems like I’ve been paddling forever, only to look up and realize I’ve drifted down 12 streets. There have also been times when I’ve turned my board back to shore and given up because I couldn’t make it past the break.

But this particular day wasn’t like any of those. It was a pretty seamless paddle out. It only took a few minutes to get to the outside and if anything, it was pretty relaxing… no waves crashing over me, no turtle rolls that needed to be had. Nothing like that.

I catch a pretty fun wave that I’m able to ride all the way in... and I turn my board around to head back out when I notice what I’m about to paddle into… a stinking washing machine. Maybe the winds switched, or maybe I just timed my first paddle out really well. Either way, this is not what I was expecting to face after catching that wave.

So I did what I always do when it’s a paddle battle trying to get back to the outside, I chit-chat with Jesus and think of worship songs to sing. It’s kinda our little thing. It occurred to me in the midst of getting sloshed around and losing my board that I only call on Jesus when the waves are crazy. While holding my breath as I go under, and then wiping the salt water away from my eyes, I was reminded that Jesus delights in our praise and worship not just when the seas are rough, but when they are still.

Psalm 34:1 I will exalt the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips