Worshiping the Surfboard

Some time ago, a friend was telling me about how he was trying to make a cool looking mailbox out of an old wind surfboard and sail. While he was building it, his six-year-old son noticed a lizard bouncing up and down on the surfboard – doing a little lizard dance. My friend asked his son, “What’s that lizard doing?” He answered, “Daddy, he’s worshipping it! He’s worshipping the surfboard!”

Sometimes I think my family could say that about me. I love to surf, and I can just hear them say, He’s worshipping the surfboard!

It’s true. Sometimes we get the wrong things at the center of our lives. Whether it is surfing, or money or power, or a job or another hobby, sometimes we do give ultimate value or worth to things or people instead of God. Not that any of them are necessarily bad in and of themselves. But when they become first, when they begin to dominate, everything else in our lives has a way of getting skewed.

Today, let us ask for eyes to see anything or anyone that may be pushing God to the side. Let us ask the Lord to redirect our hearts to the One who is at the center of life, the One who heals, and the One who sends us to love and serve others.

Let us pray: We thank you loving God for many good gifts in life, for surfing and exercise and study. We thank you for our families, and for the desire you have placed in us for a better life. We pray today for perspective and balance. We want you to be at the heart and center of our lives. May we worship you with all our hearts – and enjoy your good gifts.

We lift up today those who may be feeling far from you. Fill them with your grace, and guide them gently with your love. Amen.