My rating: 4/5
A powerful tale of restoration and courage, As Sure as the Sea by Jamie Ogle is a delightful story that captures the savagery of humanity and the beauty of salvation through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
As Sure as the Sea is set in the Mediterranean during the reign of the Roman Empire, where Christianity is forbidden and Christians are persecuted. Primary characters, Demitria and Nikolas, are members of a discreet community of Christians, who each risk their lives in contribution to aid the community. Demitria is an expert diver who spends her mornings diving for coral and pearls for her boss; a pagan merchant who disregards her religious beliefs as long as she continues to produce adequate provisions during her dives. Secretly, she spends her evenings risking her life to secure food for the community of Christians. Nikolas is the newly appointed pastor of the community, whose role as a pastor places him in grave danger of persecution if discovered.
When Nikolas discovers Demi’s expert skill as a diver, he elicits her help in finding his lost treasure out at sea. The time spent with one another at sea will reveal their similar struggles with guilt and remorse. Demi’s constant battles with shame and guilt from her pass as well as an agonizing secret that she holds, make her bound to her deeds as a self-proclaimed duty unto God that she hopes will serve as compensation for the sins of her past and to inspire bravery within herself. Nikolas, whose identity as the surviving son of a wealthy merchant, holds deep regret and sorrow, concerning a past decision he made that he feels shattered his family. Demi and Nikolas’ blossoming relationship will encourage personal and spiritual restoration. Eventually, the danger of their secret lives as believers unfolds and their bravery and commitment to the Lord will be tested.
As Sure as the Sea is a well-written novel, that was slow paced at times, allowing adequate character development. Although not diverse, the cast of characters are likable and inspiring. The Christian content in the storyline was exceptional and pointed towards the redeeming grace of salvation. The author beautifully illustrates how the precious gift of salvation is never obtained through works or deeds, but by God’s grace through faith. The story also details the blessing of spiritual liberation in Christ, as well as the brutality of persecution. The novel had a balanced mix of character and plot driven narrative that was both inspiring and reflective. Overall, I enjoyed this story, and I highly recommend it to others.
#Christianfiction #Historicalfiction #Romance
