Oceans

Before reading this, stop for a moment.

Be still.

Breathe.

Be.

Now play the song "Oceans" by Hillsong United as you read...

Imagine yourself on a boat in the middle of a calm ocean. The sun is setting below the horizon. You stand at the front of the ship, holding the railing, feeling the wind on your skin. Before you really give thought to what you are doing, you take of your jacket and slip off your shoes. You climb over the railing and lean out over the edge, feeling the light spray of the water. And then, you do the unthinkable...you take a step out onto the water.

The water supports you, just like you somehow knew it would. You chase the sun as it dips lower into the sea. You run and you dance, more alive than ever before. Then, you lose the sun to the depths.

You look to the right and to the left. In the velvet darkness, you can't see the boat. You can't see the shore. In the pit of your stomach, fear makes its home. Yet still, in the darkness, you press onward toward the invisible sun.

You feel a drop of rain hit your cheek. The wind picks up. You hear the dull rumble of thunder in the distance. As you watch the silhouette of the storm clouds roll in through the lightning, you begin to wonder what you've gotten yourself into and what you're about to be in for.

The rain is falling steadily now. The water begins to churn beneath your feet. You're no longer sure you're headed in the right direction. You know the sun is out there somewhere, but it seems to be running from you even as you chase it.

The storm has reached you at last. The waves threaten to overcome you and you can't see for the rain. You stop, and in your desperation, you cry out to the sun. And the storm ends. The waves are calm. You open your eyes to a brilliant sunrise and glassy waters before you.

You take a step in faith knowing that this brilliant sunlight won't last forever, and that night may bring another storm. But the sun is always there, and at the end of every night is a sunrise...

This is what my walk with Jesus has been. When I was a child, He called me out onto the waters with Him, and I chased Him without fear. Then, I caught my first glimpse of the storm and wondered what have I done? Now, it feels like the storm is upon me, and most days I'm not sure which direction I should be walking. But in all of this, I will cling to His promises and choose to keep my eyes above the waves as I wait for the Sun to rise and defeat the night. Jesus is good. Jesus is near. And someday, somehow, He will calm these seas.

Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders.

Let me walk upon the waters,

Wherever you would call me.

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander,

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior.