I’ve started swimming most mornings.
It’s been too cold to walk. So I put on a swim suit when it’s 39 degrees and drive to a local gym to swim.
I love swimming laps.
I love the feel of my shoulders slicing through the water and the way that it makes me feel stronger somehow, kicking and gliding from one end to the other.
But occasionally the pool is crowded. If I’m late on those days, it pushes me over to the side of the pool where it’s more shallow. I’ve scraped my toes when I’ve kicked concrete in the shallow end.
I don’t really like the shallow end. It’s an okay way to get in the pool, but I want to be in the deep.
That’s where I am in my walk with Christ as well.
I’m not content with barriers that used to make me feel safe. Now they make me feel confined. I don’t want to splash in the shallow end of my faith, when there are so many layers and depths to be discovered.
Maybe you feel that way too.
Just last night, after a crazy busy day I was cooking for Bible study (chili, cheese, corn on the cob, and brownies, yay!) and I felt the deep calling.
To be honest, I was tempted to stay right where I was, juggling, trying to get things done, making sure the chili didn’t burn. . .
but God had something for me in the deep.
Long before I shared the Word with women around my kitchen table, he wanted to share something with me. It was a beautiful, private moment. I was pulled ten different ways doing God-things when God himself pulled me close to remind that it’s not all that I do that matters to him.
I matter to him.
So do you.
There’s riches in the deep end of our faith.
He teaches us to listen for his voice. He shows us when we’re running on empty . . . again, and stops us in our tracks just because we are his.
How do we step out of the shallow? {Tweet This}
Maybe, like me, it’s simply stopping long enough to listen.
It might be going deeper into the Word and allowing the power of it to challenge and change you.
Maybe it’s hearing what he speaks and doing it.
Maybe you plunged into the deep and sank like a rock (like Peter). You are afraid that this “failure” marks you for the shallow end.
No way. No how.
Your faith delights God. Get back in.
Let’s swim toward the deep.
Suzie
I love your post on going deep with the Lord. I find myself going deep and then life interferes and I find myself in the shallow. We all need to listen to God, so glad you do. Much prayer for me to not let interruptions of life keep me from staying deep with God.
Thanks for leading us gently into the deep end! I so look forward to joining you each week. Wonderful, Suzie.
I’m not a big water bug, but I realized after a doctor ordered me to, that I absolutely LOVE swimming laps! It is by far one of the most relaxing things I’ve ever done. I’m not the greatest swimmer… I’m crooked and a bit messy, veering from one side of the lane to another; I’m sure the lifeguards get a kick out of watching me. Too often, I find myself similarly in my faith. I veer in and out between shallow and deep. I want to stay the course, I want to learn how to swim a straight, clean lap in my walk, but I get distracted and things get messy. I find that when I veer off, I’m distracted by something. Another swimmer, a noise…. life. May He guide me into the deep and keep me there. May He lead me beyond where my comfort zone lies. May He continue to offer His sweet grace and mercies when I get a little off track.
Thank you for these words today, Suzie! As always, they are so very timely. #livefreeThursday
You are absolutely swimming toward the deep, Crystal. I’m cheering you on, friend.
Oh, so often I feel as if I’m about a centimeter deep and spread out about ten miles in all directions. Thanks for this invitation to go deep and to trust God for the “lungs” to keep me there.
I have been a swimmer my whole life (competitive swimming for 10 years growing up) and I will never get sick of swimming laps. I like to talk to God while I’m moving through the water. It’s so balancing. So peaceful. 😀 Thankful to be able to move our bodies in this way!
It is, Lauren. I haven’t been able to swim all this week and I’ve missed it. Maybe tomorrow!
This encourages me to look at my life and see what areas I can go “deeper.” I’m gonna think real hard about that and see where God may be calling me from the shallow end to the deep. Blessings to you on this Thursday, Suzie.
I think it’s so awesome how you can just feel God calling you into the deep…I long for that, to be standing at my sink or stove and just feel that Holy Spirit pulling and tugging at the inside of me. It has happened before and I believe I have let my life get so busy and cluttered with..just life…that I feel sometimes he is leaving it up to me to find HIm in the deep and that is scary. To be perfectly honest, after going through cancer surgery 3 years ago, I get so scared of what will happen with my future health and if He would choose to use that to slow me down. I just don’t feel like I have ever gotten over the fear of hearing that word and I feel as though it has kept me from going to the deep place with God. I still dread every check up even though they have all been clear. 🙁 I go next week, prayers are much needed. oh, and I love the “Get back in” part. 🙂 I am determined to get back in..
This reminds me that Gods mercies are new every morning… No matter what happened yesterday… New is a start over and He loves me over and over again! Thank you!
Your blog really spoke to me. I too am going through difficult days. I am facing placing my mom who I have taken care of for 7 years with dementia in a facility. My dad suddenly lost the use of his legs and other functions is now in a nursing home and my father-in-law’s health declined suddenly. Life is dr appts and laundering lots of clothes. It is easy to focus on the hard, but God is there in the midst of it giving me gifts to make life easier. My mom suddenly doesn’t recognize that she is in her own home so it makes the move easier. There is a rare opening for my father-in-law in assisted living 5 minutes from my house. God is so in the details, sending blessing and mercy if we only open our eyes to recognize them.
I sincerely appreciate these fun but deep devo. I am grateful for beautiful sunrise this morning . . . as I left the pool!Thankul for Proverbs 31 ministry which has provided so much encouragement and insight. I still have a devo from 2007 with this Scripture and remember how it helped me so much. Looking forward to your new book.
“There’s riches in the deep end of our faith.” Oh yes, yes, how I love this simple sentence… the longer I search for quiet moments with Him, the longer I know this to be true! Don’t we serve a most wonderful and caring God?!
What a good word, Suzie! I know that feeling and sense of longing for the deeper connections with Him and not feeling content with shallower places. You painted a great word picture even though I am regrettably a non-swimmer! Blessings on your day!