100 Foot Waves

The Pulse | August 20, 2021

Upcoming Events:

08/29

Community Group

Leader Meeting

09/12

Two Services Resume

Formation Forum:

Tribes + Tongues

10/01

Women's Evening Fun + Fellowship

Church Calendar

Please join your church in praying for the following requests for the life and mission of the church:

+ Let's pray for protection of people in danger in both Afghanistan and Haiti. Pray for Christians in both nations to extend the care and love of Christ to neighbors.

+ Please be praying for the Lord to set apart and call our next Children's Ministry Director and Worship Arts Director; pray for the Holy Spirit to lead our search teams.

+ Give thanks for our interim worship music leader, Ryan Walker, and for the entire worship team as they lead us to sing God's praises.

Request Prayer

Weekly Reflection

Hey Church! The upcoming changes to the Pulse I mentioned in last week’s edition are here. You’ll notice the e-newsletter has been simplified. Be encouraged to read the reflections below on biblical faith amidst challenging circumstances. Every Pulse will now feature a write-up from me or another ministry leader. These will range in scope from highlights of recent events to previews of upcoming initiatives to theological soundings on popular culture. I hope you enjoy!

~Nick Comiskey, Senior Pastor

These past few Sunday nights I have been glued to my TV to watch the latest episode of "100 Foot Wave.” The docuseries tells the story of Garret McNamara and his Ishmael-like quest to surf history’s biggest wave. There’s a lot to commend about the show: the cinematography is stunning, the camaraderie amongst McNamara and his crew is heartening, and the dedication with which they pursue their craft is inspiring. What captures my imagination, however, is the grandeur of the waves themselves. Rodrigo Koxa , one of the athletes featured in the show, says that surfing them feels like “dancing with God.” The biggest wave I’ve ever surfer is 97 feet smaller than what we see onscreen, but I too have felt the power of the sea. What would it feel like to crash on a 100 foot wave? Another surfer memorably described it during the first episode: “It’s like being in a car accident for a solid minute.”

The Bible never mentions surfing (besides, you know, Somebody walking on water), but it talks a lot about the peril of water. In ancient Israel, great land floods would instantaneously fill riverbeds which otherwise ran dry. These torrents could wipe out entire armies (Judges 5:21), and rushing water often serves as a metaphor for overwhelming opposition. Take, for example, Psalm 32. It opens with the promise of forgiveness: Those who hide their sins suffer greatly; those who confess experience the joy of peace with God. The next verse draws an inference - because people can approach God with a clean conscience, “all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble.” - and concludes with an astounding promise - “when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.” (v. 6)

Can you recall a time when “the great waters” seemed to surround you? Like you wiped out on a mountainous wave and your waking hours felt like a car crash in slow motion? God does not promise circumstantial peace, but He does say that when the waters overflow, they will not reach you. This verse suggests protection amidst great danger; that even in the deluge of crisis, you are held in hands of love, you can “lean on the everlasting arms,” and you are always, always, safe.

If the flood seems to be rising around you now, don’t tread water alone. Reach out to your Community Group Leader. If you’re not in one, reach out to Eric or me. We’d love to help connect you into a group in which you’ll be known, loved and encouraged in your relationship with Christ. As summer draws to a close, we’ll start talking more about the centrality of group life at Apostles and how you can be a part of it.

Nick