One of the things we did as a family while on vacation is snorkel. We found a couple of places where we were protected by the waves (behind a man made jetty) and were able to swim in and among hundreds of huge boulders (that make up the jetty) in water less than 6 feet deep. It was at the state park beach and created as a place for younger and less experienced swimmers to see some of the undersea wildlife. And there was much to see.We, as a family, took off one afternoon swimming along the jetty pointing out the hundreds of fish and other sea life we could see, from the fingernail sized yellow and blue fish to polka dotted and striped tropicals. Then there were the schools, that seemed to come out of nowhere and then promptly disappeared in to the blue. Small eels, large crabs, little gobis and a very large rockfish in addition to the many mackerel and pompano schools that were rubbing up against our feet as we would stand up in shallow places. It was an awesome sight and we had a blast as a family sharing in this time of discovery.
But there was a break in the middle of the rocks, where the top of the jetty went below the surface of the water. With just a few kicks and about 15 feet we went from 6 feet of water to over 25 feet with a swift drop off. (between the jetties was a deep channel for large ships to move from the gulf to the bay ports.) In this simple yet short swim, we moved to a whole new world of the sea. We were met by a school of fish that never seemed to end, thousands upon thousands of identical creatures swimming in what looked like the Dan Ryan at rush hour, nose to tail, side by side. It was the same water, but a different world. (The picture is from the deep side.) The fish we had seen on the other side were nothing compared to what we were beginning to experience.
Many times while we were skimming the surface, scuba divers would sneak by under us pointing out the things they were seeing in the deeper water. Periodically I would take a huge breath and dive deep along the jetty to experience something new and was never disappointed. Grouper as long as my arm quietly watching me move by, sea cucumbers that would rival any 4H state winners, Coral teeming with life, sea anemones, sea urchins, and bottom dwellers that once I'd get close would swiftly hide amid the nooks and crannies.
It was like night and day on opposite sides of the jetty. What we discovered was a much richer experience in the depths.
The same is true of the Christian faith. To stay in the shallows of the faith is to experience much of the real life Christ offers. But to move into the depths is to experience so much more. It's the same water, it takes the same skills, but it also takes some additional risks.
John the baptizer proclaimed a message of good news for those who changed their lives. Jesus followed up with the same message, change your life and experience God's kingdom fully.
I believe many people love to live in the shallows of the faith. It's safe. it's easy. But it also requires little change in us. It's controlling how much we experience, but to go deeper is to move into unknown waters where the experiences are less controllable, yet richer. It's the difference between reading the bible and studying it. It's the difference between a Sunday School Class and Disciple Bible Study. It's the difference between going to church and serving the church. One is on the surface, the other requires us to move into the depths.
We all have to start out in the shallows, but we aren't supposed to stay there. Jesus wants us to move to the depths. That's where faith really grows.
Move beyond the comfortable. Do something risky. Join a study this fall or join a small group. Jump into the deep.
The water's just fine.
Peace ><>
pc
2 comments:
Yep, I missed out on the experience of the deep! I was too unsure of my snorkling ability to risk the depths and the waves of the open waters.
You see, Hannah had been having some equipment malfunctions,and had headed to shore in frustration. So I told the others to go ahead without us and I would go back to stay with Hannah.
Upon finding her, she had fixed her mask & snorkle and was ready to head out to the deep. So off we went to find the rest of the family.
Hannah had no fear of heading out to the open waters away from the safety of the jedi. She new what awaited her on the other side(since she had swam out there the day before with her Dad) and was ready to go!
I on the other hand, (being the weakest swimmer of the family) was not at all ready to take the risk of swimming in the open water. I had lost sight of Chris and the other girls, so I was alone with 1 of my precious daughter and knew that if either of us had any problems, I was not skillful enough to save either of us! So
instead of heading into the depths, we headed back to shore.
So I missed out on a great adventure and some amazing sights.
All because I had lost sight of the one I depend upon, was afraid to risk, have not challenged myself to improve in my abilities.
I pray I don't continue to do the same in my spiritual life!
What an amazing experience it was to move from the shallows to the depths. With a world of life and opportunities for learning. But it was not easy! The gulf side was rough, large waves beating us into the rocks. You had to be very aware of what was around you, the current, the rocks, the crabs! (so you wouldn't get pushed into their pinchers with a big wave!) It was difficult to stay focused on the important things while being distracted by the beautiful. Praise Jesus for the experience, for his creation, and reminding us to stay focused!
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