The Boat Driver: Trusting Someone Else's Skill and Intentions

A Wake Surfing Devotional

A wake surfer completely depends on the boat driver. The driver controls the speed – too slow and you can't stay up, too fast and you lose control. The driver controls the direction – whether the wake is steep, whether the surfer can cut and carve effectively. The driver is responsible for everything that happens.

Here's what's important: the surfer can't see the driver. They can only feel the effects of the driver's decisions through the rope and the wake. They have to trust that the driver knows what they're doing, that the driver's intentions are good, that the driver is paying attention to them.

And the best boat drivers? They're watching the surfer constantly. They're reading how the surfer is responding. If the surfer is struggling, they adjust speed. If the surfer is ready for more challenge, they speed up. The driver is working for the surfer's benefit, not their own.

This is what trusting God is like.

You can't see God directly. You experience Him through His effects in your life – the wake He creates, the direction He's taking you. You have to trust that He knows what He's doing, that His intentions are good, that He's paying attention to you. And the truth is: He is. God is watching you constantly. He's reading how you're responding to circumstances. He adjusts the "speed" of your life based on your capacity. He's working for your benefit.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Trust. You can't see Him, but trust His direction.

Psalm 23:3-4 says: "He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

He guides. He's with you. He's watching. Trust the driver.

Jeremiah 29:11 says: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

God knows His plans for you. He's not randomly speeding up and slowing down. He has intention.

Romans 8:28 says: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

All things. The driver is working everything for your good.

Isaiah 40:28-29 says: "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."

He doesn't get tired. He's constantly attentive. He's the perfect boat driver.

Tomorrow's Practice: This week, practice trusting the boat driver. When you feel the wake changing, when the speed seems to shift, when circumstances are uncertain – remember: God is driving. He's watching you. He's adjusting for your benefit. He's not distracted. He's not uncaring. Trust His skill and His intentions, even when you can't see Him.

Reflection Question: Do you trust God as your boat driver – believing He's watching you, adjusting for your benefit, working for your good – or do you try to grab the wheel and control the direction yourself?