The Moment: Committing to Catch the Wave

A Surfing Devotional

The moment comes. A wave forms on the horizon. The surfer has been waiting for it. Now it's here. This is the decision point.

A surfer can see the wave coming and decide not to paddle. "It's too big." "I'm not ready." "Maybe the next one." And they watch the wave pass. It's safe. It's risk-free. But it's also wave-less.

Or the surfer can commit. They paddle hard. They commit completely to catching this wave. They have to give everything in that moment. There's no half-paddling into a wave. Either you commit fully or you miss it.

And when you commit fully, something happens. Your body is fully engaged. Your mind is focused. You're part of the wave's energy. The experience is transcendent.

This is what Jesus calls disciples to do: commit fully.

Matthew 4:18-20 records: "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.' At once they left their nets and followed him."

At once. Full commitment. They didn't say "maybe later." They didn't hedge. They committed completely.

Luke 9:57-62 shows three people hesitating to commit: "As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.' Jesus replied, 'Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.' To another he said, 'Follow me.' But he replied, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father.' Jesus said to him, 'Let the dead bury their own dead. But you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.' Still another said, 'I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.' Jesus replied, 'No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'"

Half-paddling. Hesitation. And Jesus doesn't accept it. He wants full commitment.

Philippians 3:7-9 records Paul saying: "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him."

Garbage. Let it go. Full commitment to Christ.

Hebrews 12:2 says: "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Jesus endured the cross. Full commitment. Complete surrender.

Many Christians half-paddle. They say "yes" to Jesus but hold something back. They want to follow but not too much. They commit but hedge their bets. They miss the wave because they won't commit fully.

Tomorrow's Practice: God is offering you a wave – an opportunity to follow Him more fully, to serve more deeply, to commit more completely. This week, make a decision to catch it. Full commitment. No hedging. No holding back. Give everything. Paddle hard. Experience what it's like to be fully engaged with God's calling.

Reflection Question: Are you half-paddling spiritually – saying yes to Jesus but holding back – or are you committing fully to catch the wave He's offering?