“The Peaceful Sea” by Rick Stassi

1 Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Isaiah 60 (NKJV)

There is darkness and there is light. We experience this with all the people of the world. The sun rises and sets each day as we are aware when we are awake and we rest unaware, asleep. Joy is the time when we who are in Christ, together as one, arise each day. For our light has come. The glory of the Lord is upon us.

But what exactly is the glory of the Lord? I still toil about my daily business. Answer: The sun shines above and I readily receive its warmth and there is a new day. This is the light of God’s glory. He is my optimism, my hope, my trust, my salvation, my eternity.

This world uses the dawn as a time when all that was of yesterday is gone. All of today is a glassy stare waiting, hoping, for happiness and peace. This is a different comprehension of optimism. For one can stare with hope at the sea as each wave brings the possibility of new chance or one can stare at waves and see the glory of our Father. Trusting.

We hope. However, our hope is set firmly upon a steadfast bedrock. Our hope is one of sure optimism. We wait with hope of a new day but the hope is paired with trust. Therefore, there is substance in our hope. Each wave is a wave of beauty from God. O the calming waves of the sea. O the peace of the Light of Jesus in us. Poor world mired in a thick darkness. Each wave brings not new water from the sea but the same water over and over again. Nothing changes for the unsubstantiated optimist. The smile slowly curls to frown. Sad.

I am a grain of sand placed by the sea, descendant of Abraham. I love the lapping water that is God’s glory. I am entrenched in this glory. My hope is paired with trust. God says so and I shall believe my God. The grains of sand dance and play in the lapping waves without fear and in a lighted place. So optimistic! With good reason I am because the glory of the Lord shall shine upon me each day as I arise. Each wave is a new day, not the same day lapping over and over. I do not fear this repetitive ebb and flow as I just see God’s wonder and do not place all of my hope in a glassy stare that only looks into darkness – looks to a wave to bring good news. This grain of sand is standing next to me. It is funny how there can be such a curtain separating light and darkness with such close proximity. “Listen! For I will tell you of great joy and hope. Good news!”, I will tell them. I see desperation in those glassy stares. It is the eyes of God that helps me. “Listen! There is a hope for a new beginning”. I am shouting.

But let’s enjoy this moment. The cool sea is a pleasure. The crashing wave, a peaceful lullaby of God’s glory. I have work to do, but let me spend just a moment with You, Lord. Your light, Your glory. All make me optimistic with a basis. The basis is Jesus so kind and so loving. So gentle as He carries me. How I love Him.

We sing and we dance and we forever enjoy God’s light. His Son never sets. We dream of Him. Close your eyes and see God’s face. He is with us.

Remember waves come in and go out. Some place all their hope in the next wave, but it is still the same as the last wave. In Christ there is a new hope with each new wave. We see this, sands of Abraham.

God promised Abraham. He showed him eternity. He showed him that at the shore are a multitude of grains of sand. Some see a light arise in the glory of God in each new wave; some see nothing but yesterday all over again. I will walk in eternity with Jesus as through His eyes, there is optimism that does not rely on temporal good news and happiness. There is the eternal good news of salvation and joy forever and ever.

Rick Stassi

August 4, 2012