Walking with God - A Plan for GROWTH

Paddling out can result in injury. Thanks to continuous basic exercises I was able to grow and eventually get back in the water.

“Vamonos Shane! Vamonos! Salta al bote!” 

Let’s go Shane. Let’s go! Get in the boat!” 

It was a very warm morning just past five, one of my buddies and I were carrying our surfboards in waist deep water, and our boat driver was encouraging us to jump into his boat before the next set of waves arrived. After settling into our small Panga (a common boat in Central America), we motored around the point for the brief twenty minute trip up the coast. 

The surface of the ocean was so clear and smooth it looked like glass. I was with one of my boys and a close friend. We saw dolphins in the distance, a very solid four foot swell was hitting the coast, and we were on the second day of an eight day dream trip to El Salvador. This was going to be the trip of a lifetime, right? 

Wrong. 

After surfing perfect waves for several hours, I paddled into a head high swell that peeled for well over one hundred fifty yards. At the end of the wave, I slipped on the wax on my surfboard and wiped out. My right arm felt numb and tingly, and very painful at the same time. 

I’ve fallen thousands of times over decades of surfing. This time, however, I fell in a way that dislocated my right shoulder. As I was literally dragged on the rocks I was able to “pop” my shoulder back into place. I struggled back to our boat and asked the driver to pull me up. We sped back to the hotel, and I jumped in a taxi and went to the nearest hospital an hour or so away. The pain, and then the doctor, was very clear in telling me that I would not be surfing again anytime soon. I booked the next flight home. 

In a matter of seconds I went from the happiest person on the planet to feelings of disappointment, anger, and frustration. 

Several days later I found myself in an office I would frequent often the next four months — physical therapy. My doctor patiently taught me exercises that would help my shoulder heal. With the use of one pound weights, stretching rubber bands, ice and heat treatment, and rest my injury slowly (very slowly) rehabilitated. Throughout the process my physical therapist was very clear: there is no magic pill to healing. Do the exercises and rest. Do the exercises and rest. And again. And again. And again. 

Over time (months and months) the fibers, tendons, and muscles in my shoulder and upper back grew. Through all of the exercises I grew. 

My book, Dropping In, is written to help you grow. Over years of surfing and growing in a relationship with the creator of the waves, I want to provide you with exercises that can help you grow, too. The Bible is full of writings of rock solid wisdom that will help us grow and live out the abundant life we are intended for. 

Over the years I have had the wonderful opportunity to lead many people into a relationship with God. I always share this very simple plan to begin to grow in a new relationship with God. This is taken from my favorite website that I recommend to new and growing followers of Jesus: www.startingwithGod.com 

Go—Go to God in prayer each day. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. - John 15:7 

Read—Read the Bible each day. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. - Acts 17:11 

Obey—Obey God moment by moment. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. - John 14:21 

Witness—Point others toward God through your life and words. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” - Matthew 4:19 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. - John 15:8 

Trust—Trust God for every detail in your life. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:6-7 

Holy Spirit—Allow God to control and live through your daily life. 

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. - Galatians 5:16 

For more information about the new book visit http://droppingin.surf and pick up a copy.

As we walk with God through life we increase in our love for Him by following the plan of GROWTH.