Thursday, March 23, 2017

Shocker: VB Native Writes About Surfing

Independent Topic (1)


Our discussion at Rick & Libby’s about surfing versus mountain climbing made me reflect on the Christian notion of grace. Grace is defined as: “the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.” If we have a relationship with God we may experience the regeneration process of sanctification. God knows we will fail so He gives us grace as a cushion for those mistakes as we recover and learn from our past sin. I was born and raised in Virginia Beach so I know a lot about surfing and water sports since that is how I spent most of my childhood free time. As I said in class, I have learned more about grace and recovery from my aquatic failures than in any other activity. Whether is it falling face first of a surfboard or being thrown overboard while the boat is in a sharp turn, I am very acquainted with mistakes on the water. If any of those falls had been on solid ground at the same speed, I may not be able to walk let alone be alive. Thankfully when I messed up, there was something there to catch me, the water. Water is only safe to fall into up to around 150 feet. If you hit the water the right way you can survive a major fall. Buoyancy pushes you back up for air after you have been submerged in the way God lifts us up after we get bogged down by our sins. I like to think that water wants to help us survive those falls and that it is a physical example of the grace God grants us.

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