Advice for surfers
Some final advice from the surfers Bible...
Hi! I'm Greg Anderson, from Narrabeen , Australia . I've been involved with surfing for over 30 years. For 8 of those, from 1987-1995, I got to travel the world as a competitor on the professional tour. What follows are some things that have been helpful to me.
Ando.
ABUNDANT LIFE
Jesus said (John 10:10 page 265), "I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest”. This full, or “abundant”, life is not about material possessions, financial freedom or “quality of life”. At its foundation, the abundant life is simply knowing that we are precious to God. Understanding this, Paul the apostle remarked, “I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have” (Philippians 4:11 page 475).
FEAR
Philippians 4:6-7 (page 474) reminds us that fear, anxiety and worry is at one extreme, and faith, peace, rest and confidence at the other. Despite what circumstances might suggest, God is still in charge and on your side. The question is whether we are on his side. Remember: “If God is on our side, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31-32 page 383
GOD'S GRACE
Ephesians 2:8-9 (page 460) reminds us of another important truth: that salvation is God's gift. I had sort of figured out that God did his part to bring me to the front door, but I thought from there it was up to me and my efforts to go on from there by being “good enough”. However, my efforts never seemed good enough. I was continually in a cycle of trying to measure up, falling short somehow, then feeling condemned and discouraged. As a result I saw God as hard to please. As I looked closer at what Jesus did on the cross, however, I saw that my relationship with God was based entirely on Christ. God is a loving Father who wants me to be with him.
GOD'S MERCY
John 8:3-11 (page 258) and John 3:17 (page 242) remind us about God's kindness. God's kindness, often called “grace”, is us getting the good that we don't deserve, and his mercy is when we don't get the bad that we do deserve. You know when you are caught out in the wrong, and expect to pay the price. There is little mercy in our world, but through Jesus there is hope! Seek mercy from Jesus when you have failed God, others and yourself so miserably.
SECURITY
John 10:27-30 (page 266), Romans 8:31-39 (page 383) and 1 Peter 5:7 (page 559) offer us a new kind of confidence. Our world is full of insecurity, with so many changes, “new world orders”, wars, fears and uncertainty even in our jobs and families. Let's face it: even surfing itself is insecure as the waves are never dependable and our surfing prowess and popularity will fade away. That is why it is so good to know God, who never changes and who is committed to stand with you for this life and beyond.
TEMPTATION
It's important to know that being tempted is not in itself a sin (see Hebrews 4:15-16 page 525). Everyone is tempted on a fairly regular basis—it comes with being human! Giving in to temptation is sin. The more you give in, the harder it will be to stop. The less you give in the easier it will become. If you find yourself in this cycle, just know that the first step of resistance is the hardest, but it gets easier after that. For encouragement, see 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (page 412 – 413). 1 John 1:9 (page 568) shows us God's antidote when we fail.
SEX
1 Corinthians 6:15-20 (page 407) and Hebrews 13:4 (page 540) talk about our most intimate relationships. Sex is a bit like money in that having enough is always just out of reach! Unrealistic pursuit of either can result in addictions that God never intended us to be bound by. Sex is not equal to love, and outside the security of a committed relationship of marriage it can have a devastating effect. I realise now that God knew what was best all along and was only trying to protect us from bad consequences—1 Thessalonians 4:3 (page 488).
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Ephesians 5:15 (page 465) and Galatians 5:16-23 (454) give us really good advice about lifestyle. It is all too easy to look for the escape or acceptance or “freedom” that mind-altering substances can bring. Being drunk or stoned also opens us up to thinking, speaking and acting in ways that make us less than God made us to be. We can in fact become “slaves” to these things. Jesus came to bring us true freedom, under his influence. This is better for your relationships, responsibilities and even your surfing.
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