Oceans

I have always been fascinated by the ocean and I love everything about it. Except sharks. And jelly fish. And giant sea creatures who could possibly eat me. Oh, and drowning. BUT other than that, big ocean fan.

I love its vastness and how it inspires me to dream. I love its mystery and wonder. I love how it calms me to my core and brings me peace. I love tiny fragile sea shells that roll in right up to my feet, in all their perfection, having just traveled through treacherous waters! THIS never ceases to amaze me! I love the smell of salt water and the sounds of the crashing waves. I love sand – walking in it, drawing in it, building sand castles (though mine never could accurately be viewed as castles). The ocean somehow always leaves me feeling better about life when I leave its shores.

So in thinking about my life in comparison to the ocean (been doing this for years now.) I am forever coming up with new thoughts I never had before.

Such as, today I was thinking of the depths of the ocean floor. How far down it is, and how dark and creepy and scary it must be (At its deepest part, it’s almost 7 miles down). BUT the ocean floor, though deep down and terrifying at that, actually is teeming with life and beauty.

Sea Lilies, a beautiful flower which is actually an animal, can be found 10,000 feet down. This fascinated and excited scientists to know that there is indeed life, and BEAUTIFUL life, on the ocean floor.  In our own lives we are sometimes required to do some diving down to the dark ocean floor for answers or buried treasure. Fear can keep us from ever doing this – fear of the unknown – fear of seeing our own shipwrecks buried in the darkness – fear of sea creatures out to get us – fear of never coming back up for air. The irony of all of this is, there are treasures only found IN the darkness – and there is freedom that comes from facing the fears that haunt us.

“You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32)

Facing our fears helps us see past them – helps us conquer them.

It releases us to see the beauty there within the darkness. Only Jesus can walk us through the deep parts of our own oceans, and bring us soaring back up to the surface – free from fear.

THIS song by Hillsong United is my own life mantra – so much great life truth in it.

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
By: Hillsong United

“You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail,
And there I find You in the mystery.
In oceans deep
My faith will stand;
And I will call upon Your name,
And keep my eyes above the waves.
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace;
For I am Yours and You are mine.”

At the bottom, of the bottom, of the bottom of the deepest part of the ocean, IS life and beauty. At the bottom, of the bottom, of the bottom of our own lives, IS life and beauty. Watch for the Sea Lilies.

Psalms 107:23-24 says, “Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the LORD; His wonderful deeds in the deep.”

#TheDeepsAreTeemingWithLife #DeepCallethUntoDeep