Written By: David Nehrig | CSUS National Director
Photo By: James Le Roux

Have you ever been at a surf spot where you took a second and looked around at the surfers around you? As I get to travel for my job, I can’t help but notice how surfers from all walks of life will be in the different lineups. From young to old, surfers staying at places for $2 a day to $200 a day, locals to pro surfers, kids on a wood plank and old guys on brand new $810 Al Merrick’s. 

This is so fascinating to me. I can literally be sitting waiting for a set wave next to a guy who makes half a million dollars a year, and on the other side, a kid who is surfing on half of a board that is brown from the sun and only has one fin. 

You see, surfing has a special way of leveling the playing field. I love this part of surfing because it reminds me of Jesus’ life on earth. 

Jesus levels the playing field. All have fallen short. 

The phrase “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” is a verse from the Bible, specifically Romans 3:23. It signifies that all humans, regardless of background or status, have fallen short of God’s perfect standard of righteousness. This verse highlights the universality of sin and the need for redemption

We all need a savior. 

My prayer is that I can slow down and “Be Still” enough to realize the people around me, if they don’t know Jesus. Despite their social status, age, financial situation or surfing ability, they will spend eternity separated from Jesus if they don’t recognize they have sinned, turn and accept the free gift of eternal life. 

God help us as a group of surfers to share this great news with everyone.