By: Dustin Punches
Surfing isn’t just a sport — it’s an incredible way to learn about life… and about faith. Today, we want to share a short reflection that connects our passion for the waves with the Word of God. 🏄‍♂️✝️
🔹 1. Demonstration – The Pop-Up
To start, we invited one of our youngest surfers to demonstrate how to do a pop-up — that key moment when you go from lying on the board to standing up.
In surfing, timing is everything.
If you stand up too early or too late… you wipe out.
It’s the same in life: there are key moments, and responding at the right time can make all the difference.
🔹 2. Practice Until It Becomes a Habit
The pop-up isn’t something you overthink — it has to be automatic.
When the waves are big and powerful, there’s no time to hesitate.
A surfer trains body and mind to read the wave, react quickly, and pop up at the right moment. How do they get there?
Through practice, correction, good friends, and lots of patience.
đź—Ł Question:
What helps you become a better surfer?
(Possible answers: practice, correction, surfing with friends…)
➡️ Our faith also needs daily practice.
➡️ In life — just like in surfing — big waves come. Hard situations where we need to know how to stand strong so we don’t fall.
🔹 3. The Bible Says: Be Prepared!
“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.”
— Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)
God gives us something special for when we face “big waves” in life: His armor.
Just like a surf kit that protects and gives confidence, God’s armor helps us stay strong:
- Belt of truth – Remember what’s true, not the lies.
- Breastplate of righteousness – Choose to do what’s right.
- Shoes of peace – Bring God’s peace and love to others.
- Shield of faith – Trust God when things get tough.
- Helmet of salvation – Remember you belong to Jesus.
- Sword of the Spirit – God’s Word, to fight against lies.
đź—Ł Question:
What things make you fall or want to give up in life?
(Examples: fear, anger, pressure, doubt…)
➡️ When you pray, forgive, and choose what’s right — you’re practicing your faith, just like when you practice your pop-up.
➡️ Your faith gets stronger, and you’ll be ready for whatever wave comes.
🔹 4. Don’t Be Afraid to Fall
In surfing, everyone falls.
And in life… we do too.
But you are not alone. God’s love and grace are like the ocean:
🌊 always there to lift you back up.
So don’t be afraid to fall. Keep paddling, keep getting up, and keep trusting.
God is with you in every wave.
🙏 Final Reflection:
What about you? Are you practicing your faith every day the way you practice your surf?
Jesus isn’t looking for perfect surfers… just willing hearts.
See you in the waves!