Do You Sea What I Sea?

My family and I have always loved the seashore. Even now, living so close, it is still for us, as they say, a “little piece of heaven.”  I cannot imagine a world without the power and unpredictability and the beauty and peaceful tranquility of the sea.   

I suppose that’s why Revelation 21:1 bothers me, when it says: “and the sea was no more.”  That is, in the vision of the day Jesus returns to, once and for all, “make all things new” – the sea will be wiped away – never to be seen again.  

I don’t know about you, but I need to stop and think about that!  The place on earth where I feel closest to God – and where I can leave my worries behind – and just soak in the heavenly sun – gone?  Kaput?  No more seashore?  I’m not so sure how I feel about that.  

Thankfully, though, Revelation is filled with powerful and unpredictable, beautiful and peaceful imagery of the final day which is to come.  And we get a little of all that in our reading for Sunday.  In Revelation’s imagery we may imagine for ourselves, and for the world, a brand-new way of existence – a way of life lived in the closest relationship the world has had with God since - well - the beginning.  

And yes, the “sea” will be no more – but in this case, it's a good thing.  You see, Revelation 21:1 means the “seas” of chaos, of pain, of every salty tear shed over death, confusion, depression, violence, war, discrimination, oppression and rage.  The disappearing sea in Revelation paints an image for us of the waters of chaos over which God first breathed and created.  And it also points to the promise that - even though the waters may still rage - that in Jesus, God has begun to recreate everything.  

It is a promise that – for those who keep strong in faith – the day will surely come when God will wipe every tear and replace their salty taste with a drink from the spring of the water of life. Wow - won't that be nice?!? 

What hope there is to be found in this new thing Jesus promises.  Hope for those who have died.  Hope for us now – in this life – as we await our reunion with the saints in heaven.  And hope as we dig in and live with Jesus, obeying his new commandment to “love one another” while we await the glorious day when we hear Jesus saying: "It is done. All is new."

How are you obeying His call to “love” in the here and now and the in-between time?  How has following his command to love made things new for you? What are the seas of chaos tossing about in your life and in the life of the world right now for which you could use a little "new?"