Shells and Surf: The Grace of Divine Limits

Early morning waves swell, gently rolling and reaching for more sand to claim on the shore. They reach only so far; the limit set by the Divine. Water surface reflects soft morning light. The rolling seems calm, a slow waking to the brightness of piercing light that will come at noon. All seems calm. But the undercurrent is strong, building in intensity just below the surface. Slow force rallies waves that roll undaunted upon the sand.

But the waves reach only so far, for a limit has been set. There is a limit to the waves rushing and pounding into life, to the waves of testing and difficulty. God, You have set a limit to how far churning waters will reach. A limit to the troubles allowed. Like the waves, they are in your control.

The washing of the waves over me is a cleansing. Through it all, I’m being made pure; clean like the startlingly white seashell, Radiolucina amianta. A chip remains on its side, a scar from its battle with the surf. Evidence of a one-time wound, now healed. Beautiful in its whiteness. Pure.

And, there is the tiny double petalled Atlantic Coquina, ivory streaked with deep aubergine. So delicate. Yet, not broken. Whole. A miniscule gem emerging from pounding surf intact. A Lilliputian miracle. If such a delicate shell can survive the pounding, my heart, held in the hands of Divine, will too.

“And I said, ‘Thus far you shall come, but no farther;
And here shall your proud waves stop.’”
Job 38:11 – NASB

“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 – The Message