I wasn’t feeling well when I went to bed Tuesday night last week. Knowing that Wednesday was our day off, our preparation day (or P-day), I decided I would sleep in and then spend a lazy day at home. A storm blew in during the night and Wednesday was wet, a good day to stay in. I rested until mid-afternoon and then became restless. I’m not a good patient. I got an itch to be out and enjoy the last few hours of free time. Sunset Beach on the North Shore is only ten miles away. We got in the car and headed north in a light drizzle. We lucked out and found a parking space at the beach known as “The Pipeline”, famous for its surfing. Getting out of the car, we could sense a buzz among the beach goers. We crossed a small park and looked out over the sand, and what a glorious sight. Waves. Big waves. And lots of surfers too. I thought it was just photographers who liked bad weather. It seems suffers also like that kind of condition. I had my camera with me, so we set off down the beach to find a place to set the tripod. It’s the first time I’ve shot a sport like this. I have the right equipment, but not a lot of practice using it for moving action. I have a lens and camera system that gives me the equivalent of 1,200mm. I set my shutter to high-speed release, cranked up the ISO because it was a little dark under the stormy skies, and fired away. What I lacked most was experience in focus tracking, as in, I didn’t know how to turn it on. So, my major weakness was having sharp images. But I know now how to manage it, and today, as I release this, more big waves are forecast. I’ll be out trying again. These were not monster waves that I still hope to see while we are here, but it was obvious that everyone was having a good time, even in a light drizzle.

Good waves come in sets, and most surfers wait out the intermediate waves for the bigger ones to appear on the horizon. Then there is a mad scramble to get into place so as to position oneself to catch the peak energy and ride down the face.

During my career at BYU some years back, I produced an annual show for the university called Homecoming Spectacular. Various ensembles from the touring program performed and we would honor a founder of the university. One year we celebrated the life and contributions of a teacher and administrator named Edwin S. Hinckley. While addressing the student body at commencement one time, back in the early part of the 20th Century, maybe about 1910, he said to the graduates, “Some of you here have it in you to do things that will set waves in motion that will not stop until they break upon the shores of eternity”. I love that quote. I love the vision he had of the students, and their potential to leave an impact on the world that would ripple through future generations. We work with students here in Hawaii. It isn’t hard to imagine the same level of success in their eyes and in their efforts. I know there is tremendous potential in my own children. They will change the world. In fact, everything I hold dear will one day be in the hands of a newer generation. I hope I’ve made a few ripples, and only time will tell where they will break. Hopefully upon some future shores, and maybe into the eternities.

The waves keep coming, they pound upon this island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. They beat upon the shoreline reshaping the hard lava rock. The waves also provide a means for recreation and enjoyment. Surfing was born among these islands, and the skills are practiced year-round. Equally important though are the efforts of these young people who are only beginning to set their waves in motion. The interesting thing about waves is that they are usually barely noticeable in open water, but when they come upon the land and their energy pushes up the sandy slope, their full magnitude is visibly apparent. Never underestimate the hidden potential and the deep and powerful energy that rolls beneath the surface of young minds and hearts that are poised to soon take on the management of world affairs, the families, the churches, the arts and medicines of tomorrow, and the dreams of their parents, your dreams and mine.

Lastly, waves symbolize the trials of life that wash over us. Our difficulties seem always to come in waves. Some are fierce and mighty, and more rarely, they are gentle. Sometimes they pound upon us and roll us over in their turbulence, but always they eventually pass by and wash upon the sandy beach. May we always have the courage and fortitude to survive that fierce tumble, and then regain our footing, stand tall, and see that all the energy carried past us is dissipated upon the shore.

 Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

 Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal.
Chart and compass came from thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boist’rous waves obey thy will
When thou say’st to them, “Be still!”
Wondrous Sov’reign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
’Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on thy breast,
May I hear thee say to me,
“Fear not; I will pilot thee.”

Lyrics by Edward Hopper