I love the Sea

I love the sea. So broad and beautiful, stretching out further than any eye can see. Her strong waves, though the have claimed countless lives through the ages, are yet beloved by millions. She is ever-changing and always the same. I have watched the sea my whole life, and I am still awed by her majesty. She answers no questions, and gives no account for her ways, yet I remain captivated. Both the brilliance of sunrise and the glory of sunset are multiplied when viewed across the sea. She can turn even the dullest grey fog into an intriguing mist.

I get so irritated by the scores of tourists who come here every summer. These people claim to love the beach, but who in reality only love it for what it can give to them. They come with their sunscreen and their surfboards, their beach umbrellas and their bikinis, and everything they "need" to have a fun day at the beach. But their value of the sea has nothing to do with the sea herself; only with their own amusement.

I could stand forever and watch her. Whether stormy or sunny, high tide or low; I just want to be near her, breath her in. She is like a friend, or a sister; the closest thing I have to home on this earth.

I was thinking all of this today, as I sat and watched the gentle waves rippling on the sand. And then a thought struck me, you may have seen it already, but my mind works slower than some.

I see God as those tourists see the sea.

I do not love Him for Him, I love Him for saving me, for protecting me, etc. in fact, I often go away to where I am most comfortable, and forget all about him for a while.

Rarely do I have a desire to just be with God. Rarely do I sit and breath him in.

I do not like that His past (and some would argue, His present) includes violence.

I do not like that He makes no explanations or excuses to me.

I do feel the need to bring along hoards of useless crap in order to fully enjoy my experience with the Most-High (as though He needs schedules and neatly drawn up devotionals to work in my life).

And I do think that I can get away with two intense weeks of "God-time" per year, and that will suffice until next time.

I love the sea. I love God, too, but not in the same way. Not yet, anyway.