So I watched the world surf competition. In-person in San Clemente, CA. I realized–I’m terrible at surfing myself. Compared to the dudes out there, most of us are. But, tt’s a thrilling sight to see, isn’t it?
Hold onto the surfing image while we read Romans 4:5, “If you’re a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don’t call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it’s something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, trusting Him to do it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.”
So, imagine you’re out in the ocean, facing the waves. Waiting for YOUR set to come in. You let a few go, you see the other surfers and watch them ride. Some suffer, and some nail it. You take your wave, you line it up perfectly, you stand up, IT’S THE BEST WAVE OF THE MORNING. Annnnnnnd, you’re ahead of it. Crash. You wasted it. The best wave, you lost. You swim to shore, break the surfboard in half, and never surf again because you lack the skills.
No! Of course that’s not what happens. You fall, and. fall, and fall. And you continue to go out, not because you love falling, but because you just enjoy being on the water. Sure you nail a wave here and there but no matter how awesome of a ride you have, it ALWAYS ends with you back in the water. So what’s the point? My argument: Grit.
Obviously, surfing is a skill that requires effort, practice, and determination, and if we do it long enough we will get better. Similarly, in life, we often believe that our own hard work and good deeds will earn us favor with God. We think we can paddle hard enough and catch the wave of His acceptance. However, this verse reminds us of a different truth.
In the analogy of surfing, it says, “If you see that the job is too big for you, that it’s something only God can do…” Just like there are waves that are too immense for us to conquer alone, there are aspects of life, such as our sinfulness and brokenness, that we simply can’t overcome by our own efforts. No matter how hard we paddle, we’ll never be able to ride those waves successfully.
But here’s where the beauty of God’s grace enters the picture. The verse continues, “and you trust Him to do it.” Just as a skilled surfer trusts the power of the wave to carry them, we are called to trust in God’s ability to save and transform us. It’s not about our efforts alone; it’s about surrendering to God and relying on His grace and power to accomplish what we could never achieve on our own.
In the world’s economy, hard work and deserving one’s pay make sense. But when it comes to our relationship with God, it’s a different story. We can never earn our way into His favor. It’s not about striving or proving our worthiness. Instead, it’s about recognizing that our salvation and righteousness are a sheer gift from God.
Just as the verse says, “Well, trusting Him to do it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.” God’s grace is like a massive wave that carries us, lifts us up, and sets us right with Him. It’s not something we can achieve by our own strength or merit. It’s an undeserved gift, offered freely to all who trust in Him.
So, my friends, as you navigate the waves of life, remember that it’s not about achieving success in surfing or trying to do all the right things. Instead, it’s about being at peace in the water.It’s about having grit, not toward “success” or toward being a good rule follower. It’s about having grit—the unwavering resolve–to see Jesus in every difficult situation.
Just like a surfer faces challenges, you will encounter trials and obstacles in your journey. But it’s in those moments of struggle and uncertainty that your true character is revealed. It’s when you have developed grit, in anything, it will translate to your faith in a way that helps you to hold onto that too.
Having grit means refusing to give up, even when the waves crash around you and the currents pull you in different directions. It means fixing your eyes on Jesus, the ultimate source of strength, hope, and guidance. With grit, you can persevere through the storms of life, knowing that Jesus is with you every step of the way.
So, no matter what challenges you face—whether it’s a difficult relationship, academic pressure, or personal struggles—resolve to have grit. Resolve to find Jesus in those situations, seeking His wisdom, comfort, and peace. Let grit be the force of your faith, driving you toward in the truth that Jesus is always with you.
As you ride the waves of life, remember that having grit doesn’t guarantee a smooth ride, but it does ensure that you won’t be swept away. Embrace the challenges as opportunities to grow in your relationship with Jesus, to deepen your trust in Him, and to shine His light in the midst of darkness just as you embrace the swimming, riding, and falling in the water.
Let’s take a moment to pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder to have grit and to resolve to see Jesus in every difficult situation. Help us to persevere, to hold on to You, and to trust in Your unfailing presence. May grit be the driving force of our faith as we navigate the ups and downs of life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
