Into the Deep

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phillipians 4:13

Standing at the edge of the ocean, I stand staring at its vastness in awe. It's both beautiful in its peaceful tranquility and incredible strength in its waters.

I have always been fascinated by the ocean. Being near water has always reminded me of God's peace. It's calming. Yet at the same time, ocean water can hold many risks and dangers, especially the deeper you go out into it. It's full of sea creatures and mysteries.

Many times in my life I stand at the edge of new waters to wade through. Sometimes it's my own choice, sometimes it's thrown at me and sometimes it's asked of me. And I have to decide: do I stay on the edge and keep to the shallows where it is safe or do I trust in God's promises to be with me and walk into the deep?

Sometimes I stand looking at my life and I have to decide: how far do I let God into my heart and life? Do I let Him in only in the shallows, or into the deep? It comes down to this: Do I trust God who tells the waves to be still with the waves I daily ride in my life? The times when I have said YES to God have led to Him becoming the God of my Depths. He can see into the deepest parts of who I am, and I can know Him in an even deeper way than I ever thought possible. When I allow God to be the God of my depths, He can be God over my sorrows, God over my joys, God over my success, God over my trials... God overall.

"On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." Mark 4:35-40

So, when I say YES, I surrender to God's will and allow Him to ask me to walk into the deepest waters. But I have the assurance there is a purpose in the asking and the promise God is with me through it all.

"...And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20b

This is my story; the story of when God has called me into storms, brought me out of the storms, or led me through the storms. But this is also God's story where He is my Saviour, my rescuer, My Father and friend, my comforter and healer, my source of wisdom and strength.

And I'm sharing my story because stories have impact. We learn through hearing stories. We see this throughout history and in all cultures. Stories help us understand each other as human beings and help us gain insight into our own lives. They bring encouragement and hope. And I'm telling my story because again and again God has shown me grace and He gets the glory in my story. God is not a God who sits off on the sidelines. He is a God who loves and sees every smile and hurt. He has had a great personal impact on my life, and I hope by sharing my story, I will bring encouragement that God can have a very personal impact on you, my readers.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21