On May 11, 1992, I had a vision of a surfer floating on a short surfboard gazing at the beach, lazily drifting and dreaming of the big wave. I knew that this surfer somehow represented the church in America. While this surfer was drifting, the very wave he was dreaming about was getting closer and closer, but he did not know it. I knew that unless he woke up and looked around very quickly, the wave was going to come crashing down on top of him. The result was not going to be a smooth ride! I also knew that his board was too short for the huge wave that was coming. By the time this surfer did hear the sound of the wave and turned to look it was too late. What had been the desire of his heart became a terror because he was not ready for it. The wave turned the surfer over and over, smashing him onto the bottom several times and breaking his board. I feared for his life but he survived with many cuts, bruises, and a few broken bones.
I watched the surfer lying on the beach in great pain. Soon the terror of possibly dying passed and a deep wisdom replaced it. He gazed back out over the sea. Even though he was so broken and hurt he could hardly move, an awesome resolve and dignity came over him. I knew he would come back to ride the waves again. Next I saw this surfer in a hospital with a room that looked out over the ocean. He was still gazing out over the sea, but instead of dreaming, he was now planning. Then I saw him standing on the beach, not only healed but also far more muscular than he had been before. Beside him stood the largest surfboard I have ever seen. Even though the sea was calm, he knew that the biggest wave of all was already in motion beyond the horizon. He was ready to ride the wave, but fears were rising up in him. lf he did not quickly dismiss them and get moving, he would not be able to paddle out far enough and would again be in great jeopardy from the wave.
Many other surfers who looked like professional bodybuilders were standing on the beach. They all had the same short board the first surfer had at the beginning. These bodybuilders really did not seem interested in the waves at all, but just in showing off their bodies, which to me looked grotesque. I knew their large, bulging muscles were not really as strong as the first surfer's, whose muscles seemed more natural. They had built their bodies for show, but he had built himself up for strength.
