“Fall deeper in love with Jesus, to know and learn the heart of Jesus.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 2, 2024
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:17-18
My sailboat captain friends Bill and Bill remind me to steer clear of the shallow waters on the rare occasion I am at the helm. Remaining in the depths of the channel assures a safe passage, avoiding the jarring impact of a sandbar with the possibility of boat damage or running aground. And sometimes, the channel route is counterintuitive, weaving serpentine over the vast blue ocean like a slithering snake across the earth. But with instrument aids gauging the depth and with lookouts on the bow watching for any surprises, we experience the joy of smooth sailing!
God’s love is also a deep channel of comfort, care, and compassion. The sandbars of sin are ever lurking, sometimes submerged, sneaking up on us. Sometimes, sin’s sandbars can be seen white and glistening just below the water’s surface. If we stay humble and prayerful, we can see them up ahead, and we are wise not to trudge toward them and experience unintended consequences.
Where are you navigating through the waters of life? Maybe you are feeling weighed down, like a barge with containers stacked high. The heavier the load, the deeper the waters required. A health scare, financial stress, or a bruised relationship all need the soothing deeps of God’s love. Or you may feel the weight of blessings. The responsibility to glorify the Lord with what He has given you invites you into the depths of His wisdom and desires. Fall deeper in love with Jesus to know and learn the heart of Jesus. Stay in the deep channel of Christ’s love for peace of mind.
Notice the communal aspect of Paul’s prayer, “together with all the Lord’s holy people,” you experience the magnitude of divine love. You do life with not just any people but holy people. Followers of Jesus who are pursuing the love of their heavenly Father will pursue you in love. Sitting outside, breathing in crisp air around a fire, sharing with those who have your back. Holy friends, in the sense that they are set apart to intentionally love God and to love you on purpose.
The first thought of deep waters is fear, right? You may feel uneasy when you cannot easily see the bottom. Your flesh fights back; let’s go back to the secure shore…safe and sound. But is the shore 100% safe? Can’t a shore still experience high winds, heat, and even destruction? The safe shore of a passive life offers more temptations and distractions to miss out on the multifaceted dimensions of the love of your heavenly Father. Be adventurous. Why linger on the seashore of sinful desires when a vast blue ocean of love is waiting to be discovered and experienced?
Fortunately, when we run aground, the most experienced sailor leads, as the crew prays and focuses on solutions to become unstuck. Moving forward, we learn from our mistakes and/or ignorance and set sail for deeper waters. Smooth sailing? Sometimes, but not always. Many of our stories come from riding out the rough seas while celebrating our depth of love for each other and love for our Captain of captains, Jesus. Hallelujah! Let’s thirst for Living Water to experience the deep water of His wonder-working power and love. Hear your sweet Savior’s invitation of deep waters to you. “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty, I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.” (Revelation 21:6)
Prayer
Lord, open my heart to experience the depths of Your love. Help me to feel Your presence, understand Your compassion, and be transformed by the fullness of Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application
Where is Jesus inviting you into the deep waters of His love for you?
Related Reading
Jeremiah 31:3; Psalm 143:8; John 4:13-14; Romans 8:38-39
Worship Resource
Liv Harland: Oceans (Spirit Lead Me)
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