Oceans…I am sure you have heard this very popular Christian song, but have you ever really listened to the words?  As you are standing in your church service, maybe even with your arms raised praising God, have you ever really LISTENED to the words……let them sink deep into your soul and acknowledge what you are asking???

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

Have you ever wondered what a reality where you are deeper than your feet could ever wander would look like?

For the past two years I feel as if I have been in deeper than my feet could ever wander.  When the battles are raging on all fronts and I feel defeated, I actually get scared to sing this song! Honestly, this season of life is uncomfortable.  I tend to camp in the line “My feet may fail when fear surrounds me,” all too often.  Those are the moments that it is hardest for me to trust.  Trusting without borders is not for the faint of heart.  Trusting is hard.

The song goes on…

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves

Keep my eyes above the waves…….This is the hardest part for me.  It is sometimes hard to look up and past what is right in front of me.  As I was sitting today watching the bag full of red solution being pumped into my daughters veins….. I was looking down.  As little children walked past our door with their chubby faces and slick bald heads to get more chemotherapy pumped into their veins….. I was looking down.  As pumps alert from Michelle’s room day and night my focus is dragged down to the reality of our situation.  When we are rushing to the ER, when we are bone tired and dealing with work, children, dishes….you fill in the blank…..it is hard to look above the waves!

The disciple Peter had real life experience with keeping his eyes above the waves.  In Matthew chapter 14 the disciples were in a boat when they saw Jesus come walking towards them on the water.  At first the disciples were frightened.

Matthew 14:27 But Jesus immediately said to them, “Take courage!  It is I. Don’t be afraid”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out. “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.  “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

It is some consolation to me to know that I am not the only one that looks down and starts to sink into the direness of my situation when the winds start to howl around me.  Peter did and he had Jesus a mere feet in front of him.

Having our focus be down among the waves of our current circumstances is a recipe for drowning.  It will lead to despondence and despair.  We may not see Jesus right in front of us like Peter did, but he is there!  He is waiting for you to reach out and put your faith in him.

We are in a storm.  YOU may be in a storm.  While we cannot change the wind and waves that may be crashing into us at any given time, we can ask Jesus to call us to him.  We can step out of the boat, keep our focus above the waves and in faith walk with Jesus until the waters calm down around us.

Back to the song…

And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I may not ever decide whether I love or hate this song.  However, there is no arguing that this current situation has made my faith stronger.  I have felt Jesus be so near during some of the darkest days that I feel like I could look up and see him actually standing there.  You are not alone.  I am sure that your waves look different than mine, we may not even be on the same ocean, but that is the beautiful thing about our God.  He can be every where at the same time.  Just look up!

Here is a song I like a lot better when I am being battered by the waves.  Give it a listen, maybe it will bless you too!