Deep Waters Pt.1
I woke up one morning. It was a weekday, I believe, maybe a Saturday; I can’t remember.
I had this song on my mind throughout that morning. I wondered why I could not get the song out of my mind; it was the song Oceans by Hillsong.
Interestingly though, the part that was stuck in my mind was the following verse:
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters, wherever you will call me. Take me deeper than my heart could ever wander and my faith would be made stronger in the presence of my saviour.
I was like, wait wait wait...girl, do you realise what we are saying and praying when we sing some of these songs? Damn
When everything in life is going well and easy, we find it easy to praise God, trust God, and love others because they are easy to love. Personally, I find that I am comfortable or complacent when everything is going well in my life. It’s like spending time with God even becomes a chill session or l become less consistent because everything is fine.
Then God allows us to go through deep waters. Challenges hit us, persecution happens, illness knocks on our doors, and loss leaves us heartbroken. Then things get real..hmm.
I believe these are times when our faith in God is tested and we have to decide whether to keep trusting God or give in to fear and despair.
The deep waters strengthen our faith, prune us and shape us to be who God created us to be. To become like Christ.
Sometimes I think about the story of Job and I am like, wow God, that was extreme. How can you allow one person to go through such pain?
But honestly, I do not think many of us Christians, myself included are ready to go through some deepest waters. It is all lovey-dovey when we sing songs like oceans but the moment we face a little hardship that is just like treading the waters, we run into despair and struggle with our faith in God.
Hey I stand accused just like you, lol.
This is what I have learnt from my tests and trials:
I would never have deeply believed God to be a loving father if I had not gone through the deep waters of trauma.
I would never have experienced God as a provider if I had not gone through the deep waters of financial struggle.
I would never have experienced God as a healer if I had not experienced the deep waters of sickness.
I would never have experienced God as a friend had I not experienced the deep waters of rejection and loneliness.
In the deep waters, when our faith and level of trust are tested, we encounter God in an intimate way which in turn strengthens our conviction and our faith in Christ Jesus.
So, if you are facing some type of hardship right now, perhaps, just perhaps God is inviting you to walk with him in the deep waters to strengthen your faith in Him.