The Treasure Is ChristSample

Day 5 - Shared Waves

Read Galatians chapter 5 & 6

Key Verse

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. (Galatians 5:22-26)

The pursuit of surfing has created a subculture of its own. With its unique outlook on life, nature of risk taking, and time framed by the elements, acceptance into the arena of this lifestyle is based on performance.

Like many subcultures, your original attraction is based on the common interest. But once you’re in, there are often the masked ‘accepted behaviours’ or ‘add-ons’. This may not be part of your original search but to keep your cred it can almost become your only option.

Self is the heart of performance-based acceptance that leads down the path of self-indulgence.

Galatians 5:19–21 offers an insight into things that often pervade the surf culture. Wild parties, drunkenness, jealousy, immorality, and selfish ambition.

But our key verses today offer an alternative set of values and behaviours.

Compare the tension in the line-up when you have a crew that is simply wave hungry and their personal stoke is all about the wave count and “How good was that turn?” The problem is there’s never enough and therefore no satisfaction, just the lust for more.

On the other hand, you surf with a crew that is high on the sense of freedom, patience, kindness, self-control and the joy of sharing waves.

Which session leaves you feeling the most complete and free?

The final chapter of Galatians gathers this collective good and the essence of true freedom.

It is not self, it is selflessness.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10)

Reflection

Reflect on selfish attitudes in your own life.

☐ What opportunity do you have right now that you can take to selflessly do good for someone else?

☐ How will this change something in you?

☐ How may it change things for them?