It was pitch black outside. So dark that you couldn’t see in front of you. My friends and I wandered across the boardwalk, leaving the light of the pool area, and meandered onto the sand leading down to the ocean. Sand, that during the day is a brilliant white; yet now, we couldn’t see anything except the shadows of the waves pounding ashore.
We kept walking forward. Across the dunes and down to the packed sand edging the South Carolina beach. The stars shone brilliantly in the darkened sky — each one more vivid and brighter than I’ve seen stars before.
The water was ahead. No longer could we just hear it’s power, but now as we ventured in we could feel the water rush in and out and in and out. We kept walking into that salty sea water — the same water where I had seen starfish and jelly fish and a baby shark pulled in during the day — in silence.
Then we stopped. All four of us. As we stood there with the waves crashing against our legs our eyes could look nowhere but up at the painting of light above. The awesome power of God became so clear. Bright. In the midst of the darkness.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found Was blind and now I see.My friends, my companions for this earthly journey, began to sing sweet praises to the Lord. Right there – in the midst of the waves and stars and lone walkers wandering around the beach. It started out simply, quietly, and built into this amazing moment of worship. We were raw and bare — standing in the Lord’s splendor.
And my heart? My heart was in awe of our King and Savior. His magnitude and might and power and love and holiness were so tangible in those waves.
Oh, Praise Him!
So I challenge you to try it. You don’t need to be at the edge of the ocean to praise your Savior, although I’d encourage you that if you ever had the opportunity to seize that moment of worship. For now, watch the sun rise in the morning. It never fails — it always rises – every day since the beginning of time. Praise Him for His faithfulness. Or listen to your little one pray with their innocent heart simply loving Jesus. Or stand outside when it’s windy and stormy and think of the power that our Lord has — when He said, “Be still!” to the wind and waves.
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:27
That man they asked about? He is our Savior. And absolutely is worthy of our praise.
LOVE this post! Thanks for sharing. I’m a Praiser by nature. It’s deep within my soul that bubbles forth and out my lips daily. More often than not, my first thought upon waking is a song with these lyrics…”Awake my soul and sing for Him, Who died and rose for me!”
Praising is the ONLY way I know to get through the rough spots. When I focus on praising Him, my troubles blur and begin to minimize. Praising is the ONLY way I know to thank Him for all the many blessings He’s given me…especially those for which I am unaware. ☺
Fabulous post! Happy Wednesday ☺
When my life is crumbing around me, when I cannot see, when I have no where else to go and it’s even hard to pray, I worship. I praise Him and give Him thanks. It gives me the perspective I need to move forward. Great post my friend!
Hey, Barbie — thank you. That post really spoke to my heart — I knew I was spending way too much time complaining and not enough praising.
Always blessed by you.
Rachel
I have found out that praise is a powerful antidote to all that the enemy tries to do.
I love that hymn, Amazing Grace. My two year old learned it and when she sings, it’s what I imagine Heaven will be like: pure praise. (although hopefully more in key!)
God bless.
Totally agreed. In fact, so many times my little ones have humbled me with their simple and powerful prayers.
Thank you for sharing.