I saw a vast beach that gave way to an endless ocean. I could see the farthest waves rise and fall with great power. As they neared the shore, they rolled over into white caps that crashed and splashed. Spent from their frothy play, the waves settled and lapped delicately at the beach.
There were multitudes of people all along the beach. Not crowded together, but scattered, so that each one stood alone. Many stood far from the water, with their backs to the ocean, oblivious to its existence. Others stood with them, glancing furtively to the water and away again. Still others stood at that distance from the ocean and glared at the water, unsure and afraid to approach. There were a vast number approaching the water timidly, studying it carefully. Some looked back over their shoulders, making sure of a possible escape. Then there were those who stood just in the edge of the water wiggling their toes in the wet sand and giggling as the gentle waves tickled their feet. Others were walking out into the waves. They were out to their ankles, or knees, or even their hips. Many were going deeper. Some were backing up.
The ones who ventured deeper soon found the water up to their chins. The waves were so much stronger there, that the swells lifted the people off their feet, so that they were not touching the bottom. Many were frightened by this and turned back. They liked the feel of the earth beneath their feet. It gave them a sense of control because their feet could take them where they wanted to go. The others embraced the swell of the waves and swam deeper. They were the ones that understood the character and nature of this particular ocean. They lost themselves in it, completely immersed, knowing that the ocean would carry them where they needed to go. They played in the waves, drank in the sweet water and breathed it like air. Did they drown? I guess part of them did. But the part that lived on was stronger, more joyful and filled with magnificent peace. The longer they moved with the ocean, the more like it they became. A precious few stayed long enough to become one with the water. They allowed the current to take them wherever it would. Sometimes a powerful wave would deposit them on the beach so that they could run up, sopping wet, and embrace someone who was dry. After their target was soaked, they would run joyfully back into the waves. Sometimes the person who just got soaked would follow. Sometimes others would see their joy and follow too.
The ocean sustained them always. It never betrayed them. It never rejected them. It gave them life and health, joy and peace, comfort and love. It soothed their aching hearts and healed their wounds. It cast out their fears, their failures and their frailties. It nurtured and nourished them. Those who lived in the deep were satisfied, fulfilled and complete. The emptiness that they had felt on the beach was gone. Love, acceptance and belonging had taken its place. Their love of the ocean ruled their lives. They loved one another. They also loved the ones in the shallows and the ones on the beach, often calling out to them and encouraging them to come deeper. They lived out their lives surrendered to the ocean, immersed in His love.
Come deeper, my friend, come deeper....
***
Deep calls to deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and Your billows have gone over me. ~ Psalms 42:7
For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. ~ Ephesians 3:14-19
