Surfing with the Holy Spirit

Moving in God’s Holy Spirit is similar to surfing in that both are guided by the wind. The wind of the Holy Spirit moves the sea of circumstances to create waves which can carry you. In Jewish culture, the sea represented evil because the sea is chaotic and unpredictable. On your surfboard, you ride above the circumstances as the Spirit creates the wave that you follow. There are many three in one formulas in the world that God has created and this illustration has another trinity, which work best together in united harmony – The wave, the surfer and the surfboard.

 

There is a skill in spotting the coming wave, to catch it as it passes, and each surf will be determined by how you follow the wave. The board represents the talents that God has entrusted in you. We all have differing talents and surfers each use boards which vary in colour and shape. Use the ones God has given you and don’t envy those who are different.

 

You have to swim out into the sea to find where to catch the waves but not all surfs will get you as far as the beach. You swim by prayer, Bible reading and daily rhythm (something to connect you with God). You have to seek God to show you where you can pick up the best waves. Because the sea represents circumstances it can be very difficult to get where you want. The sea is very rough at times and it can overwhelm you, but you must battle on using prayer, Bible reading and daily rhythms. Once you’ve caught a wave, it can take you as far as the beach if you follow it well. There is a joyful freedom as you ‘ride’ the wave and a satisfaction when you partner with the Spirit, especially when you reach the beach.

 

But now you have an important choice. You can stay on your board pretending to surf, which looks a bit like surfing but it isn’t, because it lacks the power of the Spirit on the waves. Where the waves break is a dangerous place to stay. Because the waves constantly break over, you are reminded of the power of the sea and you will soon get scared or discouraged.

 

On the beach you must rest with God in Sabbath to regain strength and plan further surfs. Sometimes you will need a secluded beach hut, where you can get alone with the Lord without distraction. But on the beach, which is your church family, you can be joined by fellow surfers to share tips, plan and encouraging each other with the experiences that you have gained from previous surfs. Your fellow surfers can watch you and tell you what you’re doing well or what could improve. You can’t surf for others but can surf alongside each other, guiding where to go. The knowledge and skill for surfing is accumulated and honed by experience and you can’t expect to be an expert straight away, as there is a skill in knowing when and where God is sending you. Regular rest is very important, because trying to constantly surf will only burn you out. Work from a place of rest.

Expert surfers are those who know the ways of the Spirit well from experience, spotting how the Spirit is affecting the circumstances. The most skilful surfer of course was Jesus who was able to do it without the aid of a board!