In 2012 I did an internship called Fire in the Night, where you would sit in my church’s prayer room, and basically pray all night. I know it sounds a little strange, but I spent six months in prayer, and Bible reading, and that is a time I will always cherish in my heart.
It took my relationship with the Lord to a different level. The Lord opened my eyes to what it looks like REALLY LOVING GOD. And choosing to spend a lifetime saying yes to the Love of God.
It opened my eyes to allowing the Lord to renew and transform me from the inside out.
I had a teacher named Stuart Greaves. His teachings were some of the most intense, convicting, and ministering teachings I have ever listened to. One day in class he asked us a question. This was the question.
“Who here loves the ocean?” (KEEP IN MIND that everything Stuart said had a motive behind it, but in a good way.)
We answered hesitantly in union, “We all love the ocean”
He said, “So you would be ok if I took you right now in a helicopter, flew out to the middle of the ocean, and dropped you off in the water.”
All of us were silent.
He said, “So what you really mean is that you love the beach. And not the ocean. That is a comparison to your relationship with the Lord, and living in the Father’s love. His love challenges, changes, transforms, renews, is jealous even to the grave, patient, loving, merciful, satisfying, terrifying, exhilarating…everything you could ever dream of, that is the Father’s love. But you are to busy playing on the beach of His love, when He wants to drop you off in the middle of the ocean. All you have to do is say yes.”
I have NEVER forgotten that teaching. Because it rang true in my soul. It is comforting playing on the beach because it is SAFE and a person is COMFORTABLE. There is no worry about scary creatures trying to eat you, and the focus is only on your joy and happiness on the beach, and never having to worry about death or sorrow.
But saying yes to the Lord dropping you off in the middle of the ocean…BY stepping out of the boat onto the water with Jesus, that is where true joy, contentment, and safety lies. Because it is there that I am with Him. My security and trust totally relies on Him. There, in the middle of no where, in the ocean of His love, I am at peace because I know the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. My gaze is completely focused on Him. There in the ocean, I have doves eyes (Song Of Songs 4:1).
So what is it that I really want. To be satisfied by playing it safe? To be comfortable with not going deeper in my relationship with the Lord?
My friends, my prayer is along the lines of Daniel 2:22-He reveals deep and hidden things, He knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with Him.
My prayer-Father, reveal to me the deep and hidden things. You know what lies in darkness, expose my heart to Your light. Take me DEEPER in the ocean of Your love. My answer is yes. Light dwells with You Lord. So Holy Spirit. Lead me and guide me through the vastness of the ocean, and the depths of who You are. That I may be forever changed. Amen.
I only have a few months left before the World Race. I know that life and relationship with the Lord continues before and after. I want to say yes NOW, before the World Race, so I can also say yes DURING and AFTER .
Right now, working, saving, strategizing, fundraising, walking out life-these things are the “ocean.”
The World Race is the “ocean.”
Life after the World Race is the “ocean.”
And thankfully I am not in control. Through His strength I have said yes to diving into the ocean of my Father’s love.
This blog is an invitation for you to partner with me. I wanted to show you this area and desire of my heart. Join me friends in prayer. It’s not about my best interest, but it is about shining the light of God in the darkness. This has been my hearts desire since I was a little girl-to shine the light of God all over the earth. And He is answering that longing and desire.
This is my testimony. I am a sinner saved by mercy and grace. God has rescued me from darkness. And my God has me in the safest place possible, which is out of the boat, stranded in the middle of the ocean.
And there is no place I would rather be.
