For our anniversary my husband and I make our annual trek to the beach.  While our locations may vary, a few things stay the same.

We share a growing love for almost any shoreline. We’re always on the hunt for good seafood restaurants.  And most importantly, we look forward to sharpening our moat building skills.

That’s right a moat — as in a large trench around a castle to keep intruders out.

Except, Brady and I skip the castle part and go straight to digging out sand to create a trench with a fortified wall.  As we sit on the shore, we anticipate water rushing in. We do our best to keep it out.

We do the same thing with our lives. 

We try to protect it from the unwelcome intruders of discouragement, disruption and distraction.  And yet, with each phase of our moat building project, I know the waves will come. 

I hear the roar of their approach in the background.  However, the sound of relentless waves reminds me of Jeremiah 5:22:

Have you no respect for me? Why don’t you tremble in my presence? I, the Lord , define the ocean’s sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross. The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the boundaries I set. (Jeremiah 5:22 NLT)

You may have your own invisible moat to protect what you hold dear.  Our moat could be a habit to keep other’s away or an indulgence to keep good feelings inside us.

However, the waves of discouragement, disruption or distraction still come. You may feel like they are flooding your self-protective barrier right now.  But through faith in Christ, we can experience God’s boundaries around our lives.

By His Sovereign power, whatever is contrary to His will, it can only go so far.

And yet, how far are we willing to trust God?

The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the boundaries He sets.

Standing on the ocean shore, I couldn’t help but be in awe of God’s presence. A holy calm settled in as I knew the vast waters have their limits, but the power of God knows no bounds.

Likewise, whatever troublesome wave is coming against you and me, God has drawn a line in the sand. I don’t know when or where the line will appear, but I know it is there.

I want to be on the right side of His line. Instead of being stuck in disobedience or trembling at the wrong thing, I want my words and actions to show respect for who God is.

He is the Lord who defines “the ocean’s sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross.”

As we give our discouragement, disruptions and distractions to Him, we abide in His peace. 

What waves are you listening to or watching this summer?

I see a few of mine start to recede. And as they do, I see in Christ, I’m always standing on solid ground. (see Psalm 40:2 and Matthew 7:24-27) 

I pray we’ll tremble in His awesome presence and delight in His boundaries. It’s the best way to keep hope for the heart and joy to the soul.

Read more “Joy to The Soul Summer” posts here!