To celebrate America’s 4th of July, my family and friends chose a beach morning. When we got there, the waters were relatively calm, but as the sun was not fully out yet, the water was freezing. We walked about a mile on the shoreline, both for the exercise and the fun of it.
By late morning when the sun was fully out, while the water was still freezing, it was refreshing to get wet. My daughter and friends went back to the shoreline to stand there and enjoy the surf, a huge wave came and even though we had been holding the kids’ hands, the force of the wave crashed down and knocked them over. Meanwhile, just a few moments earlier, those who had been standing just a little out in the water had been easily able to jump the wave.
Sometimes, the very shallow area is not always the best area.
When we go to the pool, my daughter is learning to tread water. Except she is not comfortable where she can’t stand, so she tries to in the shallow end. If you know anything about swimming, you know you need to be deep enough where you can’t stand to successfully tread water.
Sometimes, the very shallow area is not always the best area.
You see, the song ‘Oceans’ by Hillsong come to mind, and specifically this verse:
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
When we are in shallow water, the waves of life will easily knock us off our feet – even though we might think it’s safest. But to truly experience God, we must venture out in the deep where our trust in ourselves cannot help us. It is then that our faith will be made stronger, as we trust our Heavenly Father to keep us safe, and even allow us to walk upon the waters.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that although it sounds counterintuitive that it is better in the deep with you. We ask that our faith is strengthened as we move from the shallow waters, to standing firmly in the deep with you, where you teach us how to maneuver life, so that we are not knocked over by each passing wave.