No.3 ‘Sight’
I remember as a little girl going on holiday, and the family competition, as to who could see the sea first. The great sense of excitement, as we glimpsed a patch of blue on the horizon, which grew and grew, as we realised the journey was nearly at an end, and the two weeks at the seaside, stretched before us.
There has been recent research which indicates the positive effect that being close to the sea has upon our minds and bodies, and I would venture to suggest, spirits, as well. To sit, or walk by the sea, and watch the ebb and flow of the waves, the way the sun glints on the surface, and the ever changing colours is of immense benefit to our well-being.
Of course, the sea, over the years, has not always been seen as such a benefit. Our forbears were often fearful of the sea, and even believed that if you dared to venture as far as the horizon, then you would drop off the end of the world! People of Biblical times were also fearful of the sea, believing it to be filled with sea monsters masquerading as the Devil, so when John describes a new heaven and a new earth in Revelation 21:1 with the assurance of the sea being no more, you can understand why.
Most people today, even those who don’t like sea swimming, or those who suffer from sea-sickness, do like being near the sea, and the sight of it. Gazing at the sea can give us an insight into the nature of God – his immense love for us, his mercy, and his faithfulness.
Remember the lines from an old Sunday School hymn
‘Wide, wide is the ocean,
High as the heaven’s above,
Deep , deep as the deepest sea,
Is my Saviour’s love
and,
‘There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea’.
It can also challenge our faith. However good our eye-sight, we can never see further than the horizon. That’s 4.8km for a person of average height standing on the beach, which reminds me of a verse from Hebrews 11. – ‘Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen’ ( verse1 ) This was the text for a reflection I heard one Easter Sunday Sunrise Service on Felixstowe beach many years ago, as I was indeed, standing, gazing out to sea, and watching the sun rise . I have never forgotten that analogy to the resurrection of Jesus, and often think of it as I walk by the sea.
‘May the love of Jesus fill me,
As the waters fill the sea,
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory’.
So take a trip to the seaside( if restrictions allow) and breathe! Health for your body, mind and spirit!