The last month has provided me opportunity to develop new methods of thinking. Quite honestly, I wasn’t really wanting to do so, but God ordained some circumstances that have forced me to comply. Early morning meditations with prayer and study have all but vanished. The quiet solitude that I now see was slowly becoming an idol in my heart has been torn away. Order and disciplined time management shattered on the afternoon of June 16th and God has commissioned me to learn new ways of hearing Him. The fact of the matter is that I feel like I’m floundering in recent weeks in my personal faith-journey. As my beautiful wife is going to re-learn how to physically walk, I’m a remedial student in the class of Following After God.
This thought occurred to me earlier this week: as followers of Christ, we can either be water skiers or scuba divers. Those who water ski are always above the surface (until they crash). They move quickly, soak in the sights and are seen by everyone. It’s fun, fast and water skiing affords opportunities to perform all sorts of tricks. Scuba divers are usually found far below the surface of the water; they remain unseen by all but those who are with them in the depths and there is really no opportunity for impressive tricks. Scuba divers plunge themselves far below the surface to encounter things that cannot be easily seen. They go down and they go deep. Water skiers never find treasure on the surface…one has to take the plunge to find the gold.
“Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.” – Job 11:7-9 {ESV}
I want to encourage you today to go deep. God places spiritual hunger in His children and you will either feast upon Him, thus increasing your appetite, or you will feast on other things and consequently lose your appetite. Don’t be intimidated about what it takes to go deep with the Lord. All you need to do is to begin to pray regularly that He might lead you beneath the surface, below the wake, into the silence of the depths of grace where the commotion on the surface is drowned out. God will graciously respond to your prayer and ordain the means by which you will find yourself breathing Heaven’s air beneath life’s waters. Easy? Not likely. Familiar? Not at all. Natural? Of course not.
Necessary? Yes, if you have surrendered to live for His glory. Risk it. Begin asking Him today to show you His most priceless treasures. Put up your skis and put on your mask and tank. Take the plunge.
Hi Pastor Jeff,
Just checking in for an update on Amy and the family…trust that Troy and I continue to pray for each of you.
With love from NC,
Emily Groth
I just wanted to let you know I’m still praying for you and your wife. I love your post by the way. Thank you for the encouragement even in the midst of your personal crisis.
I know our Father and His precious Son is so proud of you and your sweet Amy for being so encouraging to your flock as you go through this time of pain and trials. It is so unreal and shocking all that is happening (so thankful you were not hurt in your little vehicle event). We know how close you are (and we) to our Savior and how trusting and faithful. We also know how human we all are and
know there are times you may be gazing upward and wondering “Lord, what is going on with my family?” So go ahead and flounder dear Pastor because our Almighty King has you thrown over His strong shoulder and the jousling you feel are the stones and rough road He is carrying you over. He is there with you and your family and will never forsake you. He loves you so much. Hold on tight for the deep dives you are taking . He will supply air even as he supplied His blood to save us. Praying daily and often. Thank you for being our Pastor and your fine girl and children are all examples of how you have lead and taught them in Jesus.
Thank you, Gail, for taking the time to encourage us. Thanks also for making it permissible for me to be transparent and speak candidly about weaknesses which i cannot deny. Far from being despondent i am more and more aware that God will never reject the broken and contrite of heart. Therefore we can qualify my family’s circumstances as being good and profitable. Blessings to you and Harry.
Yesterday we saw the photo of Amy’s right leg after removal of the surgical dressing.As a retired surgeon I was much optimistic because the extent of the surgical wound makes me guess that the problem was in the lower part of the right leg not the foot.Breaking the bones of the foot makes the outcome more complicated.So thank God it is not the foot.I think what you called as “crushed foot” was chattering of the two long bones of the lower leg, meaning that they were broken into several fragments (comminuted fracture).This necessitated surgical intervension to fix these bone fragments.We praise God for His mercy.We know that Amy is in good hands but above all are the tender hands of the Great Physician, Jesus, Zechariah 4:6 “Not by might, nor by power,but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts”
Your blog today is wonderful.Our human weakness demands” just leave me alone”.We do not welcome any turbulance in our life.When God allows hardships to come into our life we always say “why God?” but you showed us that it is for upgrading our faith and better experience of God’s grace.May the Lord bless you to better minister to your congregation and those who watch you on TV.We now know that we are not the only people who knew you through TV!
We are praying for all of you.Pray for us too,
Sam & Zack.
Sam & Zack, your comments are always so encouraging. I should clarify that it was her right leg, ankle and foot that were all broken. She has another 6 inch incision on the outside of her right foot that they made in order to fix the damage there. She has metal rods, plates and screws from the bottom of her foot all the way up through the top of the ankle. Regardless of her injuries, we know that she is being well tended to both from helpers on earth and the Physician in Glory!
Dear Pastor Jeff,
Sorry for overlooking the incision on the side of her right foot! Anyway it makes no difference in the hands of our Great Physician.He is our Healer.He cares for us. He loves us.God bless you,
Sam & Zack.
Thank you so very much!
Blessings.
I must admit that I never read your blog until the “accident.” It was an avenue of keeping up with the Lyles and the Samples – and to see how God was working through tragedy in all your lives. Now that you’re back to mini-devotionals – but oh how deep and encouraging they are – I hate I that I never read them before. What an encouragement to my daily walk with Christ! I’m going to hate to miss them while I’m in Alaska for 10 days (7/20-8/1). When I was diagnosed with cancer the first time I clung to Romans 8:28 – all I wanted was for people to see Jesus in me (His purpose for our lives) through what I was going through. Over the years that desire has loosened its stronghold in my heart; thanks for helping me to realize that and helping me get back on track. As I heard a dear Christian sister once say, “I just want to finish well.” I, too, want to finish well. Thanks, Jeff, for leading, shepherding and teaching – always with the truth and gentle, but firm and loving hand. I’m so thankful God lead me to Meadow and that you are my pastor. Your example is just what I need for my “golden” years. Please keep up the blogs:)