The Deep Blue Sea

And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”  Luke 5:4

When I was young, I had a friend who was afraid of the deep end of the swimming pool.  She always came with us to the pool, but would rarely swim because she hadn't learned how.

"Come on, Susie," we would call.  "We'll teach you!"

But, Susie never wanted to learn how to swim.  She was content to stay in the shallow end of the pool.  Or, if there wasn't a shallow end, she would sit on the side and dangle her feet and legs in the water--afraid of what might await her in the deep end with us.  Each year, she would buy a beautiful new swimsuit, and each year it would barely even get wet.

When it came to the ocean, I was a bit like Susie--afraid of what might be lurking out in its vast expanse below the grand surface where I could not see.  My parents told me that as a toddler I would sit in the sand just close enough for the waves to touch my feet.  Then, I would scream each time the beautiful, cool waves reached my toes. 

Sometimes I'm still a bit like that.  Are you?

We see the vastness of God's sea and instead of being exhilarated, awed, inspired, and excited, we become fearful.

But, why?

Often, like Nemo's father, we have experienced something tragic, something frightening that calls to us, warning us.  

But, I've learned that there is a vast difference between God's loving safety nets and His fishing nets.

As we revisit the passage of Scripture from the last post (Luke 5:1-11), we see that God's plans for us are big--huge.  He calls us out of the boat to walk on the water, like Peter (Matthew 14:29).  He calls us to move our nets from the shallow end of the sea to the deep end (Luke 5:4).  And, He fills those of us who receive Him with water that is living, life-giving, powerful, eternal (John 4:13-14).

It is important to recognize that God's big plans for us are not the same as the world's.  His plans may have nothing at all to do with fame, fortune, or position--or they may.  He simply doesn't see things the way the world does.  And, He doesn't do things their way, either.  His way is one of humility and faith.

Do you have the faith to leave the shallow end of the pool for the deep end?  Are you ready to leave the shore and put your nets out into the deep?  That's where the fish are biting.  It can be frightening if we look at it the world's way.  But God reminds us to trust in Him when we're afraid (Psalm 56:3).

DEEP BLUE SEA

I stared at the darkness

Of the deep blue sea

Afraid of the unknown--

Though He called to me

Saying, "Come now, meet me"

And I heard His voice

Bidding me to answer

I must make my choice

His way, known to all man

Yes, He's set me free

To dwell in the vast light

Of the deep blue sea.

Are you ready for the deep end?  The Savior is calling you to come.

Goodnight, Runners.