Monday’s Gift
So, I’ve been getting these little goodies every Monday. Most of the time, b/c the audience is expected to be younger, they tend to be a little general, a little sweet, and not much meat. This one hit me. Maybe because I’ve been jonsin’ to get in the water, maybe because he referenced crackheads, but more likely because it poses the core element of my faith so clearly and challenged me to make sure that it supplants all desires.
True Joy
What do you believe will bring you joy? The answer to that question will dictate your life.
Check out Mark 1:32. At sunset, people start showing up at the house where Jesus is and He begins healing. The next morning people show up for the sequel but He’s gone. How cool must it have been to be in His presence and hear His compassion filled teaching and see His gentle healing touch? It must have been like the first time Rick Kane watched the North Shore really break. The people must have thought, “Oh, I wish we could have spent more time with Him.” Which brings up a good point – Why didn’t they come sooner, why did they wait until sunset?
Well, it was the Sabbath – which begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. I’m sure you’ve heard of all the rules and such that pertained to the Sabbath back then. So here’s the deal – people wanted to come see Jesus but they believed deep in their hearts that following the rules of their religion would ultimately bring them joy. So, they waited until the Sabbath ended. People make decisions based on what they think will bring them joy. When you check the surf you decide whether to go out or not based on whether you think that you’ll have fun. Are people ever wrong – sure. Just think of the crackhead that says, I’ve gotta have this, it makes me happy. No, it doesn’t!
The Bible teaches us that what will ultimately bring us joy is God being glorified, this includes sitting in the presence of Jesus and seeing the awesomeness of God. What about in our lives? Do you think that keeping the rules or surfing or going to church or serving in a ministry will ultimately bring you joy? If so, you are wrong. Those things can all bring a measure of joy but ultimately experiencing intimacy with God is what will bring true joy. Remember Job? At the end of his story he says knowing God is better than all the rad stuff the Devil stole from him. Don’t be like the people in Mark 1 who were kicking themselves and saying, “Man, if we knew it was gonna be this great we would have come sooner.” Make time to be with Jesus today – even if it means blowing off a little time in the water.
Who do you surf for?
Interesting.
And it doesn’t stop there. Their tag line, “Who do you surf for?“. That has bugged me until yesterday.
When meditating on Monday’s Gift I finally got the pleasure in the poke of the eye. The reason the tag line always bothered me was b/c I’ve always viewed surfing as a pretty selfish endeavor. Fun. Communal (at times), but still, solitary and pretty selfish. Watch how I’ve tried to angle with my wife to bounce mid week for an arvo seshie when she or the kids need care and you can figure out why I’ve viewed it as being stained with selfishness… I’ve wanted to view it otherwise, but couldn’t quite make the conceptual bridge to the other side, or a different island.
So now it all makes sense. Don’t surf for yourself. Don’t be nice to your wife and kids for yourself. Don’t teach, design, sell real estate, be nice to your neighbor for myself. Appreciate God, give thanks, keep his goodness in mind. Then there’s a better chance of being nice without strings attached.