Getting Into the Deep Waters - Martin Wiles

After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist. Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. Ezekiel 37:4-5 NLT

I fear deep water and have every reason to.

When I was nine years old, someone in the church my dad pastored invited us to go swimming. Two of my friends invited me to hop on their intertube. I was okay while we wobbled around in the shallow end. Then they decided to go into the deep water. As the inter-tube moved toward the deep end, fear overcame me. I held tightly to the edge of the pool. The inter-tube left and my body stayed—but underwater. 

When it appeared the end was almost near, one of my friends suddenly propelled my body to the surface. I never learned to swim, and at my age I don’t plan to now. 

God gave Ezekiel a vision of a river flowing from the Temple of God. As it cascaded downward, it got deeper. Lush vegetation lined the banks. The river symbolized the life God gives but also the blessings flowing from his throne. 

Walking or swimming in God’s river is my choice. When I trusted Christ as my Savior, I stepped into the river—the shallow part…the portion I could walk across without fearing. As I grew in my faith, I began moving into the deep waters. Waters I could drown in. Waters I had to rely on someone else if I went under.

I can stay in the shallow waters during my entire Christian experience if I choose. But God wants me to venture out into the deep waters of serving and trusting him completely with every detail in my life. 

In the deep waters my faith is tested, tried, and refined through severe trials, hindering hardships, and torturing temptations. Along the banks of deep water living are found the luscious food that nurtures my soul into a deeper relationship with my Lord. Vegetation that increases my love for God and others. Vegetation that satisfies regardless of my situation in life. 

How deep are the waters you are treading in?

Prayer: Father, lead us into the deep waters of full commitment to You.

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