As a native Californian I grew up going to the beach. Whether for a family outing or on one of our local wards (church) annual beach parties. So it goes without saying that I know and love the California coastline. From its long sandy beaches to its rocky cliff face cost. Populated with unique and lovely wild life. It is filled with variety and beauty. Such beauty in fact that it attracts meany to want to live as close that salty ocean air as possible. I have often admired the small beach bungalows that still remain from the early 30’s and 40’s. They have charm and character. But there are not many left. Over time they have been replaced, by larger, more modern and opulent homes. These are the ones that you see adorned on magazine covers and social media post. Many sit high on the coastal cliffs with unobstructed views of the pacific.
That’s the goal right? If you’re going to live near the ocean you want that million dollar view. At least it use to be called that. I think it’s much, much more now. It is was we should aspire to? That’s where celebrities live. It where titans of industry live. It is symbol of success right? I’m not so sure. Over the years I have heard many stories of those homes being lost to the crumbling cliff face. A cliff mind you that has been eroding from the relentless pounding of the ocean waves on its face for millennia. But yet some build or buy their thinking that could never happen to their house. Even though nature has been doing this work long before any man made structure was even thought to be place there. But yet somehow as humans we do things that have major risk. Thinking there is no way I will need to pay the consequence for the decision. And yet when the worst happens we are shocked. We scramble to sure up the cliff move the house build brake wall to lessen the waves and tides impact. We try to alter and bend nature to our human desires. So, we can maintain that states of bing on the cliff. That we might have the view from on top that others envy us for. Yet with all our feeble attempts to alter nature they end up doing more damage. By shoring up the cliff with cement they alter the look and feel as well as the impact on wildlife. By putting in brake walls we change the face of the coast. All to maintain their poor decision and not have to live with the loss of their home and possession.
I’m not condemning any who have to live through such an ordeal. It’s sad and awful to lose a home no matter who you are or how big your pocketbook is. To have your life up ended,
is heart wrenching. But I see it more assuredly as analogy for how we build our own lives. What do we risk to be one of the few to have the view from the cliff? That we might be looked up to and envied by others. What poor choice or compromises do we have to make. Do we build with the same mentality, of "there is no way the cliff will crumble under my home." Do we think we are above the consequences that may come. There is no way Mother Nature would harm my home. In truth just like those homes on the cliffs the consequences will most definitely come. Nature doesn’t care who you are or your status. It follows the laws of nature. Now the consequences may not come in a year or even a hundred but be assured they will come. There is always a price to be payed. Yet we become distracted by the view and the praise of the home we have built. That we neglect the stability of the cliff we have built upon. Do we like it said in the new testament "For they love the praise of men more than the praise of God"(John 12:43)
is heart wrenching. But I see it more assuredly as analogy for how we build our own lives. What do we risk to be one of the few to have the view from the cliff? That we might be looked up to and envied by others. What poor choice or compromises do we have to make. Do we build with the same mentality, of "there is no way the cliff will crumble under my home." Do we think we are above the consequences that may come. There is no way Mother Nature would harm my home. In truth just like those homes on the cliffs the consequences will most definitely come. Nature doesn’t care who you are or your status. It follows the laws of nature. Now the consequences may not come in a year or even a hundred but be assured they will come. There is always a price to be payed. Yet we become distracted by the view and the praise of the home we have built. That we neglect the stability of the cliff we have built upon. Do we like it said in the new testament "For they love the praise of men more than the praise of God"(John 12:43)
This is not to say this life isn’t without risk. Natural disasters happen all over the world and many
lives are upended because of it. Such events are sudden. Many are caught unprepared when they happen. Earthquakes, fires, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes can be devastating. But there is a difference with eroding cliffs. All the others mentioned happens with force and fury and then moves on. But crashing wave against the coastal wall is constant and relentless. Yes trials and tragedies will happen in this life. It’s the nature of the world we live in. But we have a choice in how we face them. Do we want to be in a place where our foundations are constantly under assault. And from time to time chunks of it fall away, washed out to sea. Those who build on the cliffs watch it happen, all the while thinking "wow! that was close. at least my home is still standing." As if their lives are sitting atop a giant game a Jangga. They can lose that piece of their foundation it’s ok. But hoping the next piece to fall won’t topple the whole thing.
I return to the charming beach bungalow. Many don’t have that sort of expansive unobstructed view. But they are charming and comfortable. They still have the smell of the salty ocean air. The sound of crashing waves in the distance. Many still have a view of the ocean, but far safer and on more solid ground. It may not be as impressive as the cliff face homes, but for me it is enough. It is still an achievement to obtain a home by the ocean. We should always be striving to be better and become better but it can be done without compromising or putting one on a vulnerable positions to risk losing it all. In Dream Works 1998 film "Prince of Egypt" the song "Through Heaven's Eyes" there is a line I love. It goes "...the stone that sit on the very top of the mountains might face. Does it think it's more important than the stones that form the base?" It make me think of how treacheries and exposed and vulnerable the stones on the face of the mountain are. How easy it is to tumble from the top. So, That is my question, where is the line in the sand where we say this is enough. Where we say I will not compromise what I believe to obtain more and risk losing everything. that they might be seen of the world. While there are those who want that view so badly, there are others like me who are happy with the bungalow.
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