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"Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: 'When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.' Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away..." (Joshua 3:8,15,16a NIV)
Stained glass sail boats have been a theme of mine lately, at the request of other people. I had never done boats before, so it has been interesting bringing their images to life through glass. To date I have finished four different scenes, two of which I have hanging in my cottage as they await pick up or delivery.
As I have had the opportunity to see them each and every day a thought occurred to me concerning our life with God. I considered how often people love to go out for a day of sailing, coasting across the waters of the ocean, lakes, streams, ponds and rivers. Yet how often do they leave the safety of their boats to explore the depths of the waters they sail upon?
Similarly, how often do I, do we, love to sail along on the surface of the waters of God's ever flowing love, being content with what we know and see and have but never having the courage or interest or take the time to plunge out of the comfort of our safety zone into the greater depths of God, Himself?
We must learn to ask and keep asking ourselves, am I just skimming the surface of faith or am I delving into depths which God has for me by stepping out in faith and doing more as He calls? Are their dreams I once had that I have set aside for fear that I will never see them accomplished? Am I afraid to step out in some area of faith due to anxiety and nervousness that I will fail, not have the resources or simply make a mess of things? Can I really trust God with these parts of my life: finances, emotions, family, health, possessions? Is God calling me to take a leap of faith today in regards to a business offer, a new relationship, a change in my routine? And if I discern through prayer, and Scripture and the peace and guidance of the Holy Spirit, that He is, what will I do?
Will I leave the comfort of my little skiff which is sailing along so nicely on calm waters and take that leap of faith in the depths of the sea of His faithfulness and love? Or will I cling to my little boat and sail right passed this opportunity that will forever change and grow me as a Christian, one who has come to know Him just a little bit deeper and thus become that much more of a trusted and useful servant of the Living God?
The choice is mine. The choice is yours. To stay in the safety of our boats or by faith, not in ourselves and our own abilities but in His, to step with joy into the depths of something new and different and yes, even scary, knowing that the boundless nature of His eternal being and love will catch us and carry us along to victory in the way He has prepared for us.
Prayer: Father God, help us today to be prepared to answer whatever call it is that You set before us. Bless us with the strength and faith to leap with joy into the deeps with You knowing that You are there to catch us and not only show us the way to go, but to also go with us. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Lynne Phepps
Atlin, B.C.
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