Swimming In The Deep End

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘A higher state of mind and spiritual vision can only be achieved through the higher practice of personal character. If you live up to the highest and best that you know in the outer level of your life, God will continually say to you, “Friend, come up even higher.” There is also a continuing rule in temptation which calls you to go higher; but when you do, you only encounter other temptations and character traits.’

 

What we consider to be walking by faith at one point in our lives is quite different in another .. or at least it should be.  As I read Chambers’ devotion I had the image of people in a swimming pool in my mind.  At one end .. the shallow end, there is a small child with water wings and goggles being held on to by an anxious mother.  The baby is having a great time after overcoming the initial fear of even being in the water.  And in his mind, the child believes he is swimming.  Clearly the child is not, but it won’t be long and the water wings will be left behind.  There are those who have gone out a little deeper.  Their feet sometimes don’t touch the bottom, but they are never far from the side of the pool and safety.  And then there are those in the deep end.  They swim and dive as if they were meant to be fish not humans.  Their fear is gone, but they respect the water and its dangers.

 

So it is with our walk of faith.  God leads us and with each step the “water gets deeper” .. more faith is required .. the danger of temptation is stronger … the need to trust Him more is greater … But some are never willing to take their water wings off.  They are content to paddle around in the shallow end .. and marvel at those who are swimming at the other end of the pool, thinking “that could never be me”.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)  Is God calling you to go deeper with Him?  God will not take you someplace and then forsake you … He will never leave you … So what are you waiting for?  Take those water wings off and go for a swim … to the glory of God.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)