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Sermon: Riding the Weekend Waves – Finding God in Life’s Ebbs and Flows

Introduction
The ocean, with its relentless ebb and flow, mirrors the rhythm of our lives. The song Weekend Waves draws on the imagery of surfing, where each wave is a journey and every ride is a test of balance, patience, and perseverance. As we wake up to the sunrise and head out into the vast expanse of the ocean, we are reminded that life is much like surfing—unpredictable, sometimes stormy, yet full of beauty and grace.

This song offers more than just a depiction of surfing. It’s a reflection on how we navigate the highs and lows of life, riding through the challenges and finding peace in the midst of chaos. From a Christian Libertarian perspective, Weekend Waves resonates with the idea of personal responsibility, freedom, and reliance on God in the unpredictable currents of life. How we choose to approach these waves of life speaks to our spiritual condition and our relationship with God.

Christian Libertarian Ideology: Navigating the Waves with Freedom and Responsibility
At the core of Christian Libertarian thought is the belief that we are free in Christ and responsible for our choices and actions. Just as the surfer in Weekend Waves faces the unpredictable ocean with courage and determination, we too must face life’s waves with the same mindset. The ocean may be wild and uncertain, but our response to it is what matters. We are free to choose how we navigate the ups and downs, and with that freedom comes the responsibility to seek God’s will in every situation.

In Galatians 5:13, Paul reminds us, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” The song reflects this balance between freedom and responsibility. The surfer doesn’t control the ocean, but they have control over how they ride the waves. Similarly, we don’t control every circumstance in life, but we can choose how we respond, leaning on God’s wisdom and strength rather than indulging in selfishness or fear.

The freedom we have in Christ is not a license to avoid life’s challenges, but rather the strength to face them head-on. Just as the surfer embraces every wave, good or bad, we are called to embrace the challenges in our lives, trusting that God is with us in every rise and fall.

Modern Human Perspectives: The Unpredictability of Life
The ocean is often used as a metaphor for life’s unpredictability. It’s vast, deep, and sometimes treacherous. One moment the sea is calm, and the next, it’s wild and stormy. In modern life, we face similar challenges—unexpected health issues, financial struggles, relationship tensions, or simply the daily stresses of work and family. Just like the surfer in Weekend Waves, we must learn to find balance in the chaos, to ride out the storms and enjoy the calm when it comes.

In today’s fast-paced world, many of us struggle to find balance. We either try to control everything or we allow the waves of life to overwhelm us. But the song teaches us an important lesson: life, like the ocean, can’t always be controlled. Sometimes we’re soaring on top of the wave, and other times we’re wiped out. But each wave, whether smooth or rough, is an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to trust in God’s plan.

James 1:2-4 reminds us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” The waves of life are not something to fear, but rather something to embrace with joy, knowing that God is using them to shape us into the people He has called us to be.

Riding the Waves with God’s Guidance
One of the beautiful elements of surfing is the sense of freedom and connection to the natural world. But a good surfer knows that every wave requires focus, balance, and skill. Similarly, navigating life’s challenges requires wisdom, grace, and reliance on God’s guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

In Weekend Waves, the ocean is described as “unpredictable and wild,” much like the emotions and experiences we face. But just as the surfer doesn’t give up when the waves get rough, we too must keep paddling through life’s storms, trusting that God is with us. When we surrender to God’s will and trust in His plan, we find peace in the midst of chaos, just as the surfer finds peace in the rhythm of the waves.

Scripture and the Metaphor of the Ocean
The imagery of the ocean and waves is found throughout Scripture, often representing both the power and peace of God. In Psalm 93:4, we read, “Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty.” The ocean’s waves remind us of God’s strength, His ability to calm the storm, and His sovereignty over all things.

In Matthew 14:22-33, we see Jesus walking on water, and Peter stepping out in faith to meet Him. When Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was able to walk on the water, but when he became afraid and focused on the storm around him, he began to sink. This story parallels the journey of faith described in Weekend Waves. We are called to trust in God’s power, keeping our eyes on Him, even when life’s waves seem overwhelming. When we do, we find the strength to rise above the chaos and the peace that only comes from His presence.

Conclusion: Finding Our Place in the Waves
Weekend Waves is not just a song about surfing; it’s a metaphor for life’s unpredictable journey. The ocean’s rhythm, with its highs and lows, mirrors our own experiences. Some days are smooth, while others are rough. But through it all, God is with us, guiding us, teaching us, and giving us the strength to keep paddling, to keep riding the waves.

As we reflect on the message of the song, let us remember that life’s challenges are not meant to defeat us but to shape us. Every wave we face is an opportunity to grow in faith, to trust in God’s plan, and to find peace in His presence. And just as the surfer finds joy in the weekend waves, may we too find joy in the journey, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.

Let us embrace the waves, trusting that God is in control, and finding our place in His vast and beautiful creation. Amen.

Key: G Major

Chords Progression:

| G  | C  | D  | G  |

| Em | C  | D  | G  |

Verse 1:

G.                                    C.  

Woke up to the sunrise, ocean breeze so fine,

G.                                          D. 

Board strapped to my back, I’m ready to unwind,

G.                                    C.  

The waves are calling, like the heartbeat of the sea,

G.                                          D. 

Each rise and fall reminds me of life’s sweet melody.

G.                                    C.  

Some days are smooth, like a gentle swell,

G.                                          D. 

Others crash hard, with stories to tell,

G.                                    C.  

But I keep on paddling, through the highs and the lows,

G.                                          D. 

Riding weekend waves, wherever the current flows.

Chorus:

Em.          C.         G.                  D. 

Weekend waves, they carry me away,

Em.          C.         G.                  D. 

Through the stormy nights and the bright blue days,

Em.          C.         G.                  D. 

Life’s a surf, with its peaks and its dives,

Em.          C.         G.                  D. 

On the weekend waves, that’s where my spirit thrives.

Verse 2:

G.                                    C.  

Every wave’s a journey, every ride’s a test,

G.                                          D. 

Finding balance in the chaos, doing my best,

G.                                    C.  

The ocean’s like emotions, unpredictable and wild,

G.                                          D. 

One moment I’m soaring, next, I’m just a child.

G.                                    C.  

But there’s beauty in the rhythm, in the ebb and the flow,

G.                                          D. 

Like the ups and downs of life, it’s all part of the show,

G.                                    C.  

I face each wave with courage, and a heart full of grace,

G.                                          D. 

For every challenge met, leaves a smile on my face.

Chorus:

Em.          C.         G.                  D. 

Weekend waves, they carry me away,

Em.          C.         G.                  D. 

Through the stormy nights and the bright blue days,

Em.          C.         G.                  D. 

Life’s a surf, with its peaks and its dives,

Em.          C.         G.                  D. 

On the weekend waves, that’s where my spirit thrives.

Bridge:

Em

And when the sun sets low, painting skies in gold,

C

I find peace in the water, stories untold,

D

The ocean’s my guide, through life’s rough ride,

G

On these weekend waves, where I confide.

Chorus:

Em.          C.         G.                  D. 

Weekend waves, they carry me away,

Em.          C.         G.                  D. 

Through the stormy nights and the bright blue days,

Em.          C.         G.                  D. 

Life’s a surf, with its peaks and its dives,

Em.          C.         G.                  D. 

On the weekend waves, that’s where my spirit thrives.

Outro:

G.                                          C. 

So I’ll keep on surfing, with the tide and the wind,

G.                                          D. 

Embracing every moment, every wave I’m in,

G.                                          C. 

For life is a journey, like the ocean’s embrace,

G.                                          D. 

And on these weekend waves, I find my place.

As Always, God Bless,

James Arthur Ferguson