Surf’s Up

January 25, 2019

“Surfing alone among sports, generates laughter at its very suggestion, and this is because it turns not a skill into an art, but an inexplicable and useless urge into a vital way of life.”
— Matt Warshaw, Former Professional Surfer

Judgment.

An opinion pronounced.

Pronounced with disapproval.

A teeter-totter where I’m up and you’re down.

Many cite judgment as the reason they avoid church and Christians in general.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Jesus came for love, life, freedom.

Abundance.

He came to set captives free.

If you read the Bible, you never find a place where Jesus judged.

He breaks religious tradition.

Touches lepers.

Heals on the Sabbath.

Eats with sinners.

Loves those society has no use for.

Washes feet.

Jesus was a counter cultural rebel.

He never sinned but neither did He bow to shoulds or should nots.

He didn’t cater to expectations or the religious right.

He served His Father in Heaven alone.

As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; Romans 3:10

Compared to a Holy God, my best efforts are dirty rags.

Then God.

Then God in the person of Jesus Christ left His throne, came to earth and what did He do?

Did He point His finger and judge?

Wrinkle His nose in disgust?

Try to find “good” men?

He walked among us.

Us and them.

Reached out.

Hugged children.

Loved others.

Experienced pain and hurt, rejection, abuse and abandonment.

Cried tears.

And died for us.

For you.

For me.

He offers His own righteous robe in exchange for those dirty rags.

I can’t fully comprehend it – but it’s true.

Jesus loves me this I know.

His action speaks louder than any words.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1-3 Click To Tweet

Jesus is the truth, the way, the path to eternal life.

He issues the invitation, “Come, follow Me.”

Follow Me to freedom.

Follow Me to unconditional love.

Follow Me to joy that can never be taken.

Follow Me to life and peace everlasting.

Follow Me to Heaven.

My past says, “No way.”

No way Jesus wants you.

You’re too selfish, too broken, not enough.

Remember that thing you did?

Try harder.

Maybe if you clean up, get it right, go to church, maybe then – you’ve got some work to do.

Lies.

When I say yes to Jesus, not only are my sins forgiven but I get the surf judge.

Let me explain.

In gymnastics, everyone starts with a perfect score.

Judges scrutinize every movement.

Points are deducted for every mis-step and imperfection.

At the end of the routine, a performer’s final score is determined by subtracting every mistake – even small ones.

Unlike gymnastics, in surfing you start with a score of zero.

You gain points for what you do right.

Judges base your score on how well you surf instead of mistakes.

The final score is a compilation, a celebration of successes instead of errors and mistakes.

When I have Jesus, I get the surf judge.

Instead of punishment, I am rewarded, celebrated, welcomed home.

For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done. Matthew 16:27

God loves me.

Mess up me.

Speak before I think me.

Self focused me.

He doesn’t wait for me to get it right.

He knows I can’t.

I can never be good enough to stand with Holy.

Even a sin speck contaminates – it must be separated, quarantined.

In His great love, He sacrificed Himself.

Stood in my place.

Hung by nails.

His blood for mine.

Ripped the veil.

Heaven’s gate flung wide open.

And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15

The translation of all means all.

All includes liars, thieves, murderers.

People who are divorced.

People who are gay.

Those who have had affairs.

People with addiction.

All.

It’s the good news, the great news.

Jesus loves everyone.

He came for outcasts, the rejected and overlooked.

He changes my mess into a message.

There’s no one He doesn’t want.

Jesus doesn’t care where I’ve been, He cares where I’m going.

I know better than anyone how far I fall short.

I fear God’s judgment – yet in His mercy and grace, He’s already paid the price.

Debt canceled – it is finished – tetelestai.

Instead of punishment I get Heaven’s banquet.

Invited to the party.

My presence celebrated.

Welcomed Home.

Father God, Lord Jesus, Thank you for your great love – love that’s available to everyone. Thank you that in Jesus, I am celebrated instead of condemned – I get the surf judge. Help me to know you and love you better. Help me to choose you in my small, daily choices – choices that create my character and life. Choices that demonstrate what I believe and whose I am. Thank you that Your grace is enough. Help me to live in ways that honor You. I love you, Father God, Lord Jesus – In Your Precious, Holy Name, Amen

More about Liz

I'm a free spirit. I hate rules and legalism. I love art and nature, music, the beach and dogs. I like to garden, take pictures and read. I tend to speak my mind and have a rip-the-band-aid -off approach to life. (Brace yourself, this might hurt.)

24 Comments
    1. So thankful for a surf judge – to wake up each day and realize that I can anticipate reward, not punishment; gain, not loss….as freeing as the idea of lying on a surfboard, paddling to find the wave! Love the image, Liz!

      1. Hi Cindy! Glory to God my friend…the Lord gave me the image through a sermon…I have a tendency to dwell in the places I fall short…to receive His love, grace and mercy is such a gift. Blessings to you sister. ❤️❤️

    1. Well said, Liz. I couldn’t have said it better.
      God is love and through His Son Yeshua HAMASHIACH we found forgiveness because of the cross at Calvery.
      🙏🙌👑💕💕💕

      1. Hi Sonja! Yes yes and yes! Amazing grace ❤️❤️ love your heart for Him. ❤️

    1. Hey Liz – I love your heart and your love for God. Jesus was a great example to us on how we should treat others, especially those who yet don’t know Him. It is the love that draws people to God, not the judgment. That is for sure! Yet, there is another side of our dear Lord, and that one is a Judge. At His First Coming, it was to die for all of us. At His Second Coming, He will judge. So, rejoice today for it is the time of grace, “the Day of Salvation,” and you were born for “such a time as this.”

      1. Hi Lisa! Thanks for taking the time to read and join the conversation. I appreciate and value your contribution..
        We are all sojourners journeying together ever closer to our Savior. Thank you for your comment and desire for truth. ❤️

      1. Hi Melissa! Yes!! Me too ❤️❤️ Thank you for taking the time to read and comment – it sincerely means so much.

    1. I love your comparison – I didn’t know about judging gymnastics or surfing!
      I too am thankful for the surfing judge.
      I am thankful that we are commanded not to judge and that Jesus our example did not judge in his time on earth.
      I think it’s too heavy a burden to bear.
      We can only discern and pray. 🙂

      1. Hi Christina! I appreciate your comments….God is so good. He gives us what we need – including a Savior. Loving God and loving others as He commands is both simple and difficult. It’s only by His grace and love I can do anything of value. Blessings to you sister as you walk with Him in love. ❤️

    1. Wow! Loved many things about this. Your words, “a teeter-totter where I’m up and your down” and “he turns my mess into a message.” Beautifully said. I didn’t know about the surf judge, and I think it’s a perfect comparison. I thank God he always flips things around and doesn’t do what convention or society feels comfortable with. You have a gift with words – keep writing! Thank you for this post.

      1. Hi Peggy! Glory to God ❤️ thank you for your comment and encouragement….I also love how God’s economy is upside down and goes against conventional (human) wisdom. God is amazing and…cool! Love your heart for Him. Thanks for stopping by! ❤️

    1. Great Word Sister, sometimes we complicate Salvation and who Jesus would spend time with on this earth. Thanks for the great reminders!!!

      1. Hi Stephen! Exactly! Thank you for the blessing of your comment…glory to God!

    1. Amen! Amen! I love the surf Judge!!! Your encouraging words is a blessing and gives Hope! God is Love and wants us to Love Him wholeheartdly !! His Love is Amazing and He blesses me way more than I desrve.Im thankful for His Love Grave and Mercy.Im thankful for you too sweet friend.Your words bless me so much!

      1. Hey sister friend! Glory to God who is faithful! His love is so amazing. You are a beautiful example of that love – thank you for blessing me continuously with words of love, encouragement and support. You bless me! ❤️

      1. Hi Sarah! Me too! Giving up “me” for Him is harder than I
        like to admit but Jesus and His ways are so worth it. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment as you grow closer to Him. Blessings sister! ❤️

    1. Hi Liz. This is beautiful, as usual. This reminded me of John 3:17-18. Jesus didn’t come to condemn us. We were condemned already, and He came to save us. I’m glad that He doesn’t judge my surfing skills. They’d always be zero because I have no idea how to catch the wave!

      1. Heyyy! Always love seeing you here 😁 And your comment reflects the love and grace of Christ. Surfing skills…that’s funny! We have that in common. 😁 Thank you sincerely for your continued support – your friendship is a blessing.

    1. The surf judge sets the captives free. I love the beauty of Jesus here. When we have Him….. we stop doing the things to mentioned… we stop surfing. We no longer have to walk in the waves. Tossed. In homosexuality, lying, addiction, and extra martial affairs. You kinda missed that.
      Jesus can only provide said freedom, to a person… body, mind, and soul…willing to step forward in relationship with Him. It’s not enough to know Him. See James chapter 1. Even the demons know Him. You have to give up that Point Break life. Sluff the board back at Satan…. and say “I’m changing my life for the King of Kings today.”

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