Shouts of GraceSample

The Grace To Ride Out The Wave

There was a season in my life when I felt drained, weary, and extremely broken. You may find yourself in this place as well. This was a time unlike anything I had experienced before. We, as a family, had taken some hard hits. Work was new, and we were stepping into big shoes and carrying heavy weights. We were judged, mistreated, hated, and blamed for things we had nothing to do with. We were still going -- barely. We had taken some time to separate from our crazy busy lives and all the demands that come with it. Every morning during this break, I would journal, pray, and read my Bible.

This is a normal everyday routine in my life, but this time was different. As I was talking to God at the beginning of my time away and explaining how I felt, I told Him I felt like I was in an ocean with waves tossing me back and forth. I was using all my energy to keep my head above water and try to make it back to shore. The Lord began to pour out His wisdom and grace into my life, and it lasted for the next few weeks. Every day, it felt like I was being filled more and more. His love and grace were so evident.

As this time away was coming to a close and I was feeling much better, I knew the Lord had healed me and given me a word from Him on many matters in life and my future. I asked God, "How am I going to do life when I get back? I don't want to feel like I'm drowning again." The Lord showed me a vision. He brought me to a beach and showed me surfers riding the waves into shore. He told me to get in the water this time and take a surfboard. I pictured myself running to the ocean and paddling out to catch a wave.

He told me the surfboard represents His grace, and the waves are His plans and purposes for my life. He said, “Take your board and ride grace all the way into safety. I will take you where you need to go. I already have it covered, and you are safe in me. Ride the board of grace in this season of life.”

He went on to explain that the surfer knows they will make it to shore if they can just catch the wave. I have been catching the waves of life every day since then, riding with God and resting in His grace to carry me safely to the next day.

Today, I want you to envision this beautiful picture for yourself. What in life has been hard? Have you been doing life in your own ability, knowledge, and energy? You can't do it on your own, but with God, you can receive the beautiful gift of grace that He has given you. Let God carry you and lead you.

Allow God to move in your life. Let Him take the pressure and the demands. You just ride the wave with Him into the shore. The weight and pressure are not for you to carry; they are for Him to carry. So, let's do ourselves a favor and give it all to God today -- all the pressure and all the demands. You just ride the wave with him into the shore. The weight and pressure are not for you to carry; they are for Him to carry. So let's do ourselves a favor and give it all to God. Today.

- Senior Pastor Jessica Roth

Prayer for Grace

Lord, today I want to ride the wave of grace. Please show me how to do this. I ask for your discernment in the places I don't understand. Help me to do what seems impossible. Help me to have the strength and grace of God that will take me to the shore. I love you, Lord. Use me. Today I choose to rest in your grace.

Journal Directions

1. Name two or three tasks or situations that are hard for you and that you are trying to do in your own ability, knowledge, and energy.
2. Write a different prayer for each one, asking God for His grace in the places you can’t fix or overcome.