“Galveston Beach Patrol confirms fifth tourism-season drowning,” read the headline of The Daily News of Galveston County on June 21, 2024. These five drownings occurred from Memorial Day weekend through the end of June. In all five incidents, it would appear the drownings were a result of existing rip-current conditions.

Swimmers ignored the posted red flags, entered the water, and were then caught up in a rip current. They made the mistake of fighting the current and tried to swim back toward the shore, exhausting themselves and ultimately drowning. In the ocean, you break free from a rip current by swimming parallel to the shore to escape the flow (my wife Lynne wanted to make sure I included this), but I want to discuss rip currents from a spiritual perspective.

There are two sources of “rip currents” in our spiritual journey. The world is always seeking to pull us out into the storms of life and overwhelm us with the chaos that marks today’s culture. We find ourselves in “deep water,” over our heads and overwhelmed by our circumstances. We exhaust ourselves fighting the current. If we don’t relax and realize we need Divine assistance, the consequences can be catastrophic.

While we are quite often caught by surprise by these rip currents, God is not. The Psalmist knew the proper response.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” (Psalm 46:1-3, ESV)

When the “waters roar and foam,” God remains “our refuge and strength.”

The second is when God pulls us out of the shallow waters and brings us into the deep, where our only hope is to trust Him completely. Regardless of the nature of the rip current, whether the world or the Lord, the solution for both is to enter into God’s rest.

Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Jesus offers rest to those who will put their trust in Him and take His yoke. As we walk with Him, not only does He lead the way, but He bears the burden of the yoke Himself. The author of the Book of Hebrews gives a caution to God’s people about failing to enter that promised rest.

“Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.” (Hebrews 4:1)

He goes on to state that those who responded to the gospel in faith have entered into this place of rest.

“Whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” (4:10-11)

The only way to escape the rip currents of life is to rest in the promises of God’s faithfulness. His promise to us is, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) When we rest in His embrace, He is figuratively drawing us away from the rip currents and stills the storm.

Our faith only grows as we learn to go with the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!