Waves

Psalms 42:7 Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls. All your waves and your billows have swept over me. 

Oct 9, 2025 San Mateo, Ecuador.

I’m not a beach guy. I come from a long line of mountain men, French fur trappers and Scottish highlanders to be specific. Whenever I travel, I first look to the mountains. Hikes, cabins, lakes, caves, waterfalls and the hope for wildlife run-ins. So when the leaders of our missions cohort stated we would be going to the beach, I was not excited. Heat, sand, and bathing suits are very unappealing to me. We arrived at the beach in San Mateo, and I decided to make the best of it. 

It was hot, but there was a decent breeze. The beach appeared full, though to walk to the water, I would not have to walk around anyone.There were people on surfboards, holding on to parachutes, riding the waves, twisting and turning when they would ride to the top of the wave and would shoot off into the air. Kids played in the sand and adults lounged on chairs listening to Santana (Eclipse) on large speakers. I removed my shirt, socks and shoes and walked to the water.

Immediately I noticed how warm the water was, like bath water. Warmer than Lake Michigan in the peak of summer. The waves were bigger, more like the waves in Superior in November, though I’d be crazy to go into that water. I’d be dead in minutes. Immediately a wave came in and it was up to my waist. Then back down to my ankles. I admit, I was nervous. I slowly walked further, now the water at my knees and the waves at my shoulders. What is that, two foot waves? Three foot? I’ve never done that estimation in my head. As I was figuring out the distance to my shoulders to my knees a wave hit me in the chin and I got water in my mouth. Man, that is salty. 

I wiped my nose with my hand. I checked to see if it was bleeding. Warm salty fluid running out my nose, that’s how blood feels. It was just water. Nervousness elevated to fear as waves were hitting me at random levels. I could not count on it being the same. I also noticed that a different set of waves were coming at a different angle and at a different speed. I couldn’t rely on any pattern. I could also feel the undertow now. It was pulling my legs out to sea while the waves were trying to push me back toward land. 

With each wave I turned my head and put my shoulder into it like an offensive lineman. I looked at others, who were also in the water. They would pinch their nose and crouch, to lower their center of gravity. I stepped forward but was ready to make a quick retreat. I put my hands up. I was straight up scared. I had heard many stories of people being dragged out by the undertow under the waves only to pop up hundreds of yards from the shore. Earlier this year, celebrity Malcolm Warner, drowned in Costa Rica after being pulled into the ocean. He was my age and probably in better shape. 

I knew what to do if I was pulled out further, but did not want to try my luck. The scenarios ran through my head, as I kept spitting salt water out of my mouth. I felt rocks at my feet and that was my cue that I had gone too far. I stepped back to the soft sand, as a large wave hit over my head. I turned away and held my ground. Then right behind it came a wave from the side that knock me back four steps. I did not go down. But I started to laugh. 

Another wave hit and I stepped forward, the fear gone, replaced by confidence. I brought my hand up slightly and said, “come on”. Another hit, two steps back, steps forward, another hit, and another and another. It became a joyful dance. Hit, three steps back, three steps forward, hit, two steps back, two steps forward, hit… I could feel myself smiling. Just as I saw the appeal of the beach, God began to talk to me.

What He revealed was, this is the way of life you will experience. The Gospel produces obedience. For example, when you are obedient you evangelize to someone or you confront someone’s sin; you first step in to it at the shallow end. Immediately the attack comes. The enemy hits you with anxiety and fear. You either step out, or trust in God and step forward. As you walk forward in obedience, the attacks become bigger, more powerful. But you must remain obedient and keep moving forward. The enemy will try to come at you from behind, undercut your feet, while pushing you from the front. The enemy will try to come at you sideways unexpectedly. You can turn your head, put up your arms, but keep moving forward, be obedient. Eventually, you will trust that God has you and the attacks will not bother you. You will welcome it because you know you are doing something right. Just remain obedient to God. He’s got you.

When it felt like God had finished, I slowly walked backed to shore, pausing frequently, staring at the waves. God met a mountain man in the ocean waves and spoke to him. He gave peace and assurance about what I was doing and about what is to come. I feel more confident than ever that as I walk forward in what He has asked me to do, I will meet the waves of attack from the enemy, I may stumble, I may step back, but I will not fall because God is with me.

Psalm 143:10 

Teach me to do your will, 

for you are my God. 

Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

I don't know if God was teaching me to do His will, but it sure felt like it. I long to be obedient in every hard thing He tells me to do. Sometimes I fail, sometimes succeed, but know I have a visual to ever remind me of what His walk looks like and what the attacks of the Enemy appear like. 

As David wrote in Psalm 143:8, 

  Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,    

 for I have put my trust in you. 

    Show me the way I should go, 

      for to you I entrust my life

God, show me the way I should go, for I entrust my life to you. I do not want to enter Costa Rica with fear in my heart. I believe You have gone before us and have made the path clear. I believe You will provide the support we need to go and thrive. You will be with us as we go to reach the 300 million youth of Latin America.