The Deep End
A friend phoned last evening to chat. Of
course being Christians, we spoke of God and our service to Him. My friend shared his counseling experience
with a person who had questions regarding God. The question was "Why
does it seem so hard to please God. How do I always seem to get it wrong?"
We agreed that it was not God's doing but the perception of the
person. Indeed, this person desired a deeper relationship with God,
but they had hindrances. Their understanding was immature. They needed
coaching.
We have choices. Sometimes we do not
choose wisely. Unwise choices often come
with disappointing consequences. If you a choice without consulting God's
wisdom and will, and waiting for His direction, the consequence could be failure
or a disappointing fall. I advised my friend to continue good and Godly
counsel.
It is interesting how leading others
to a deeper walk with God is like being a swim coach. The student wants to
get in the water, but realizing probable failure, timidity makes it difficult.
When they finally get into the water, the process of becoming
familiar or ‘one’ with the water is slow. Often they want to get out or
turn back. However, when they are relaxed and surrender to the water's serenity,
weightlessness, and comfort, they begin to feel safer, and they venture further
out. Soon, they are at the deep end.
We all experienced this scenario in building a relationship with God. In
the beginning, we are not sure. We are sometimes overwhelmed or intimidated. We
feel that we will lose our balance, and slip
under. However, when we surrender comfort and peace of being in God's
presence we relax, embrace Him and venture deeper.
The deep end of a pool to a non-swimmer
can be intimidating. It is the same with venturing out in our relationship with
God. We present ourselves to God's
presence unbalanced, sometimes fearful, certainly feeling some trepidation. We
need a ‘swim coach’. Eventually, the realization that the entire walk with
[God-in] Christ is a spiritual one, thus if you desire to go to deeper, you let
go of [or die to] flesh and allow your spirit to live. Paul wrote, “For if you
are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are
putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live . . . “(Romans 8:13).
Death to
self takes us to an in-depth Spiritual state of being. Through
Christ, we come into a holy and sanctified relationship with God. God
wants us to 'cast our nets', to venture out, to be fishermen. He will not leave
nor forsake us, thus in faith, we venture—out. In faith, we take the leap.
And, when we do, we can look back; just as the swimmer does and realize
how far we have come. It is a point of fulfillment and joy, a conquest—death to
self. One with God-in Christ. The Deep End.
