dOWN IN THE rIVER tO pRAY

"The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was flowing from the south side.As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. He asked me, "Son of man, do you see this?"

Ezekiel 47:1-6

At a certain level a body of water will submerge us completely.

We may barely see our feet in the depths below. Certainly the length and breadths of a vast ocean are indiscernible from the view of a little boat caught in the midst of undulating waves.

When we are immersed in water, it's very substance overpowers us. Although it is only a liquid it quells our movements, we cannot react the way we would on land, it envelops us entirely.

Faith calls for every one of us to step out into the waters, and the further we go, the higher the tide line marks us.

When we take a look back at the shore and see how far away the land looks trouble and fear stir and swell also. It's strange how the land always seems further away than it really is isn't it?

Abrasive questions begin to erode, like harsh tides against chalky cliff edges. Places of perspective, dissolve.

Am I doing the right thing? Am I going to far away from everything I thought I knew before? Worldly realities, securities, promises? Do I really want to abandon everything on the sand dunes?

Questions shiver and tremble within, fear confuses and confounds. We feel the coldness. Is it meant to feel this cold ? Surely not. I thought this was the way toward the light!

The sun seems to dim as it sets, diluted by the dark depths of the water. The horizon seems more and more distant, the harder we swim.

In fear we glance back to the safety of the shore behind us.

Then we remember. Isn't Looking back like this is exactly what Lot's wife did. The water evaporated in that moment and she was turned to a pillar of salt.

King James Bible "But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt."

Sometimes it can feel like I am right in the deep end even when in reality my feet are barely skimming the shallows!

Yet if I choose to follow God's voice I am always going to be called a little out of my depth. It's the only way I have a chance of learning how to become a strong swimmer!

And swimmers, however strong they are, are always given the advice that should they ever get caught out of their depth they mustn't waste energy fighting against the tides and currents.

Spiritually speaking these currents are sometimes their to draw us closer to the horizon so to speak, toward "the sun that never sets". Toward God.

And we can let the water take our weight upon itself. Take us without a struggle. Be moved without a fight. Be still. Float.

Turn our backs on the unfathomable depths of water below and sky above.

Rest in faith alone.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 139.

"Christ has turned all our sunsets into dawns"

Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.215) Theologian