Hanging Ten with Jesus

 

Jesus Surfs on the Water 

 Immediately he made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,  but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land,[a] for the wind was against them.  And early in the morning he came surfing toward them on the sea. 

But when the disciples saw him surfing on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” the morning he came walking toward them on the sea.  But when the disciples saw him surfing, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Matthew 14: 22-- 27 TIC (Tongue in Cheek) Version 

In Paris Canadians are excelling in the pristine swimming pools and appear poised to be on the podium again. And, lo and behold, triathaletes took to the River Seine for the swim portion of the event despite concerns about nasties in the murky waters. 

One of the most fascinating events in these Olympics is taking place nearly 16,000 kilometres away in the spectacular waves of Tahiti, an island part of French Polynesia. This is a relatively new Olympic event (second time) and the cadre of competitors is small -- just 48. Some are saying that an astonishing image capturing the end of a ride for a Brazilian athlete may end up being the iconic photos of the games. 

Brazil's Gabriel Medina reacts after getting a large wave in the 5th heat of the men's surfing round , during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Teahupo'o, on the French Polynesian Island of Tahiti, on July 29, 2024. (Photo by Jerome BROUILLET / AFP via Getty Images)

This got me thinking about the power we see in what is often termed the natural world and what Christians also identify as Creation. I heard someone who has surfed, although not at this level, speak about the exhilaration of the sport, that sense of becoming attuned to a greater force in a way that is spiritual (his word). 

We have our own surfing story in the gospels. Okay, Jesus may have walked on the Sea of Galilee, but think about it. No board, no waves -- it was impressive. The surfing version may be my interpretation and one that may earn me a lightning bolt. As it happens I'm writing during a thunderstorm, another example of Creation and Creator that is truly awesome...dude.