There is an ancient poem that talks about how God made the ocean to be a prodigiously formidable place, teeming with overwhelmingly ominous creatures.

For instance, SEA DRAGONS (a.k.a. Leviathan)!

Have you ever considered what it would be like to encounter a sea dragon?

Humans are laid low at the mere sight of Levithan!

His skin is like impenetrable armor.

His teeth are like jagged shards of obsidian.

Smoke billows from his nostrils.

His sneezings flash forth lightning, and flames come forth from his mouth.

Terror dances before him. 

When he raises himself, the mighty are afraid.

He counts iron as straw, and bronze as rotten wood.

He spreads himself like a threshing sledge on the mire.

He makes the deep boil like a pot.

On earth there is not his like, a creature without fear.[1]

And this ancient poem goes on to say, “What if you were to go out on a ship – out into that vast, immense, ominous venue where Levithan lurks!? And let’s say you had a history of being generally apprehensive and easily alarmed (like Bob Wiley). But let’s say you agreed to go sailing out upon the wild, tempestuous, expansive sea! And let’s say you saw Leviathan! Of course, you would feel small, vulnerable, intimidated, and exposed! Compared to the ocean, you are nanoscopic! Compared to Leviathan you are a fragile dainty soap bubble! The author of the ancient poem forces you to reckon with the inescapable reality of your frailty. And having irrevocably embedded you in this foreboding environment, the author says, ‘Now behold Leviathan …PLAYING (לְשַׂחֶק)[2]!’!!???” And you come to the stunning realization that God puts you in prodigiously formidable places, forcing you to feel your frailty – NOT in order to make you afraid – but to set you free and prompt you to play (see Psalm 104:24-26).

May this sticker of Bob Wiley tied the mast of a boat, reveling in the risks and joys of sailing through the wild waves of the sea, be a reminder of God’s agenda …to invite you into things that scare you, and force you into situations that feel formidable; and the marvelous realization that His goal is to work with you for your joy, and compel you to play! (לְשַׂחֶק)

[1] This elucidation of Leviathan comes from an ancient poet publication entitled “Job” (chapter 41).

[2] lə·śa·ḥeq … to laugh, celebrate, make merry, play, rejoice.