Riding the Waves of God
Rick Warren once wrote that churches are like surfers—they don’t create the waves; they ride them. It’s God who generates the momentum. Our role is not to manufacture revival or force growth, but to stay watchful, agile, and ready to respond when His Spirit begins to move.
But here’s the key: to ride a wave, a surfer must be flexible.
Surfing isn’t about rigidity. A stiff, unbalanced surfer will wipe out almost instantly. Surfing takes sensitivity to the water, agility in movement, and readiness to shift posture at a moment’s notice. In the same way, the church—and individual believers—must be attuned to the Spirit’s flow and quick to adapt as God leads.
If we cling too tightly to old methods or familiar patterns, we risk missing what God is doing right now. The world is changing rapidly—culturally, technologically, and relationally. While the gospel never changes, the methods we use to share it must. If we remain stuck in the past, we’ll be preaching to a world that no longer exists.
The apostle Paul understood this deeply. He wrote:
“To the Jews I became like a Jew… to the weak, I became weak… I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” – 1 Corinthians 9:20–22
This wasn’t about compromising the truth. It was about expanding its reach. Paul wasn’t watering down the gospel—he was wisely contextualising it. He was flexible, not to please people, but to reach them.
Flexibility in ministry is not a personality trait—it’s a posture of humility. It says, “Lord, I’m willing to let go of my preferences for the sake of Your purpose. I’ll change my methods if it means more people encountering Your love.”
This applies to the church as a whole and to each of us personally. What if God wants to move in a way that’s unfamiliar or uncomfortable? Will we respond? Or will we resist?
Too often, we expect God to operate within our comfort zones. But He doesn’t always fit our structures. Sometimes, He stirs something new—something fresh and unexpected-and our ability to move with Him will determine whether we ride the wave or miss it entirely.
So here’s the real question: Are we surfers or spectators?
Flexibility doesn’t mean being aimless or flaky. It means having a strong foundation and a soft stance. It means trusting God enough to move when He says move—even if we’ve never gone that way before.
Jesus moved. Paul adapted. The early Church flexed. Will we?
Let’s be ready to ride the wave, whenever and however God sends it.
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