Knowing Your Limits

There was a point in my life that I thought I was a really good surfer. I was on every wave that came through and surfed better than those around me. If I was honest with myself and you, there was nothing further from the truth. I moved to Hawai’i and all these truths began to show themselves for what it really was. The first time I surfed in Hawai’i, my illusion of being a good surfer met reality. There is a reason people call the North Shore the proving ground. The problem I had, was that I was relying on my past victories. I thought I could accomplish the level of surfing I had achieved in mediocre surf. I found myself in a place that was more demanding and the potential of danger was 10 times higher than any other break I had surfed. I was out of shape. I was 10 years older. I hadn’t surfed in over a year… I had no business surfing the break I paddled out into that day. I think that sometimes, this same thing can happen to us in our Christian walks. 

Romans 12:3 says,”For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” 

Knowing your limits when “Sending It” is super important if you want to be successful in your surf sessions and in life. For me, I can tell you that I should have spent more time surfing and building my stamina before surfing in Hawai’i. I should have had a sober evaluation of my actual abilities and made choices going forward based upon my reality. When we walk with Jesus that same truth applies and especially for those who have been a Christian for some time. It can honestly go both ways when looking at our past. We shouldn’t think that our past victories over a particular sin should be our reality in the future. We need to soberly evaluate our lives moving forward and lean on the strength of God when moving forward. 

Photographer: Anne Souther