I live inland. There are many days when that is a blessing- I can enjoy visiting the city nearby, with its shops and museums and theatres. Every now and again though, I feel the call to the sea- to a spacious sky, the raucous cry of the seagull, the salty smell of seaweed and the roar and crash of the waves.

Today was a day when I needed to visit, and I was fortunate to have that opportunity. It was a mixed day- a bit moody with showers and black clouds with rays of sunshine occasionally breaking through. The things is there is no bad weather at the shore- it can be peaceful or dramatic, melancholy or inspirational. Even in a storm, the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks can be mesmeric.

Science verifies our instinct that time at the seashore is good for us-  we know that the crashing of the waves brings negative ions and increased seratonin, and the acoustic rhythms of the breakers bring somatic release and the reduction of cortisol. (that is the simplified version!)

There is also a spiritual aspect to just being at the ocean. The poet Rainer Maria Rilke said:

‘When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused.’

Another poet George Herbert said more simply: ‘He that will learn to pray, let him go to the sea.’ For him there was something of the vastness of the ocean that brought humility, and a realisation of the power and mystery of God.

People throughout all of time, have tried to put into words the healing power of just being at the sea.

In the bible too, in the psalms it says:

“Mightier than the waves of the sea is His love for you”.                  Psalm 93:4 

Jesus spent so much time on boats with fishermen, and on beaches and on water. It formed the backdrop to some of the most amazing aspects of his teaching and miracles.

It is good, where possible, to spend time at the ocean- to find perspective, to rest, to be inspired, to find restoration for our souls. May we indeed find healing in reflection and space, watching white horses chase across the blue horizon!

Gracious God we can be so busy, preoccupied and anxious. We thank you for times that You call us to the sea, to rest, to reflect and find space. Lord Jesus you called fishermen to follow You, You stilled the storm, You commanded the waves- so great was Your power. Thank you that when we feel overwhelmed, we can come to the seashore, just to be. Holy spirit blow away deceptions, soothe our troubles, challenge our complacency, restore our energy, rekindle our hope. In the ocean breeze, may we discover fresh purpose and inspiration to sustain us for all that lies ahead, for your name’s sake, Amen.