Almost 20 years ago now, I was circling the 60-foot maple tree that stands just yards from my front door, talking to my Heavenly Father. Forward Edge needed to upgrade the training we provided for our short-term mission teams, and I was asking God for guidance. In a matter of seconds, the following concept poured into my brain like water from an open spigot:
Imagine that God is an ocean, always sending waves toward the shore. Now imagine your mission trip as a wave. How do you “catch the wave” of God’s plan and purpose for your trip? You have to SURF. “S” = servanthood. “U” = unity. “R” = respect. And “F” = flexibility.
For almost two decades now, this SURF acronym has been the focal point of our training for short-term mission teams. What I didn’t realize when God gave me this concept, though, was that SURF was not only relevant for our short-term mission teams, but anyone wanting to “catch the wave” of God’s plan for their lives.
Consider, for example, how SURF applies to what we’re all going through right now because of Covid-19:
SERVANTHOOD: What opportunities has the pandemic provided for each of us to reach outside ourselves to serve and bless others? At Forward Edge, we’ve been reaching out to our friends and partners around the country, just to see how they’re doing, and to ask how we can pray for them. This may seem minor, but it’s been a major blessing—to those receiving the calls, as well as those making them.
UNITY: I believe the pandemic opened “a window of grace” in the area of relationships—a unique opportunity to deepen and, if necessary, repair relationships that had become distant or damaged. I have personally taken great advantage of this opportunity—deepening my relationships with family members, Forward Edge partners, and precious, old friends, some of whom I hadn’t spoken with in years.
RESPECT: If nothing else, the pandemic has made us much more aware of our shared humanity. Never in human history (with the exception of the Flood perhaps) has the entire planet been impacted—simultaneously—by the same, life-threatening calamity. It’s an experience that can deepen the love, compassion, and respect we feel for our fellow human beings.
FLEXIBILITY: Think of the ways we’ve all had to pivot in the face of circumstances we didn’t see coming, circumstances beyond our control. I’ve especially appreciated the way our Country Directors and Field Staff have “caught the wave” of the pandemic by preparing and distributing food baskets and hygiene kits to the children and families in our programs. They are my heroes.
One of my favorite singer-songwriters, David Wilcox, wrote a song a while back that reminds me of the metaphor God gave me years ago—the metaphor of God as an ocean. It also reminds me how the threatening “waves” God sometimes allows to crash into our lives not only test our faith, but reveal the true condition of our hearts. The song is called “Let the Wave Say Who I Am.” Here are the lyrics:
If the surface of the ocean
Is this time that we’re alive
Then this rising wave in motion
Is this moment that we ride
If you don’t move when it’s moving
Then your life leaves you behind
If you can’t see what it’s doing
Trust the wave more than your mind
When the wave is all around me
I got no other plans
I just balance through the changes
And let the wave say who I am
From a thousand miles of water
From the wind beyond belief
Every wave roars out its power
As it rises on the reef
And the high blue wall can break you
You can never fight the sea
You just learn to let it take you
To the place you want to be
Now the wave is all around me
I got no other plans
Keep my balance through the changes
Let the wave say who I am
As we ride together this wave of the pandemic, may we each find ways to serve and bless others…ways to deepen our relationships…ways to grow in respect for our fellow human beings…and, if necessary, ways to pivot from old routines and patterns to embrace the “new thing” God is doing—in our personal lives, and in the world around us.
Yes, dear friends, let the wave say who we are: The Body of Christ!
What is Child Advocacy and how do I do it? “Child Advocacy”… such an official sounding term, isn’t it? Miriam Webster defines advocacy as “the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal”, and when broken down that way, it’s a pretty simple concept. Many of us are child
“Don’t Worry – Be Happy.” It sounds cliché and is easier said than done. Especially when we’re in the midst of something we feel is robbing us of our joy. Difficult times are an unfortunate part of life, but they are also opportunities for growth. Many of us believe, even if unconsciously, that our personal
When it comes to sharing with others about your mission, calling, or passion for a particular cause, your main objective should be to connect with your audience. Get them engaged emotionally and intellectually so that they are ready to receive what you have to say. Whether you are one-on-one or
I just returned from a mission trip to our child sponsorship program in El Cobre, Cuba and spent several days with not only my sponsored child but some of yours as well! What a joy to see them face to face, hug them, and to share some quality time. One
9 yrs. old
Entered the program: October 2023
Axel lives with his mother, grandmother and sister in a one-bedroom house constructed of concrete and sheet metal that belongs to his uncle. Axel’s mom is a single parent and the sole provider. Axel’s parents separated when he was a baby. His father had struggles with alcohol and there was domestic violence in the home so his mother left and moved in with Axel’s grandmother.
Axel’s mother worked hard to buy a piece of land and is hoping to build a house on it. She currently works 24 hour shifts at a security company. Axel’s grandmother cares for him and his sister when his mom is not home.
Axel’s sister, Abril, is also in the Trigo y Miel program.
