Today is my 16th "birthday" with God! 16 years ago almost to the hour, I snuck away with a backpack filled with a hairdryer and makeup to get baptized. My parents weren't exactly keen on the whole baptism idea, so I did it without them knowing, which was difficult since I lived with them.
I like to celebrate my "birthdays" with God by doing something special. Today I spent some time at the beach. To say that it was freezing would be an understatement. As soon as I pulled up it started to rain. I thought about going home, but decided to drive to a parking lot that faces the ocean instead. With my journal and iPod in hand, I began reflecting on the past year.
Not long after I arrived I noticed some guys kite surfing in the water. I watched them for awhile and then thought about my life. In a lot of ways, my Christian life is similar to kite surfing. First of all, the waves are pounding and moving and crashing, kind of like life. The kite surfers' feet are planted on a surfboard and their hands are holding onto the kite strings. The wind pulls the kite, which helps to balance the surfer, much like God.
Last year was a year of ups and downs. The waves were crashing and threatening to drown me at times. Other times I was riding the waves like a pro. The year ahead is going to be crazy. I know from experience that planting a church has its definite benefits and drawbacks. I've got to be holding tightly to God and I've got to allow Him to move me and pull me in the direction He wants me to go.
The kite surfers were having the time of their lives. They trusted their boards, held tight to the kite strings and went wherever the wind blew them. May we all follow their example.
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