Oceans

I love singing the song "Oceans" by Hillsong.

The words are just phenomenal. A little more on the flourish-y side, but transparent enough to make an immediate impact on anyone who is looking at, saying, or singing them.

"You call me out upon the water, the great unknown where feet may fail // and there I find you in the mystery // in oceans deep, my faith will stand"

 If you're familiar with the story of Peter walking out on the water to meet Jesus, whom the disciples saw walking on the water and mistook for a ghost, you may also see the awesome picture... Jesus, that night, was a mystery to the disciples (as he often was). Jesus said to Peter, "Come". And Peter did.

When you're reading Matthew 14, it doesn't seem like Peter was scared at all to step out on the water towards Jesus. He heard Jesus calling and immediately stepped out! Once he realized what he'd done, he got scared. But unlike Peter, fear is often our first reaction. .

When Jesus calls us to do something that seems impossible and unknown-- maybe we have no idea how it is going to happen or how to even start-- is our first reaction faith or fear? When I sing this song, I remember that most times, it is in the unknown that I find more faith. In oceans deep, my faith will stand. Like Peter, when they stepped back in the boat and the winds stopped, (see what they said here) most times, this mysterious God reveals more and more of himself and His ways when I step out in faith, not knowing if my own feet will hold me, but knowing full well that in faith, I will be standing upon the Rock, Jesus.

"So I will call upon Your name // And keep my eyes above the waves // when oceans rise my soul will rest in Your embrace // For I am yours and you are mine."

(Not the mention the beautiful end reference, that God claims us always as His. He will never abandon us, and he has given himself to us to be known, to know him and be known by him.)

Of course, it ends with a passionate and honest prayer:

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders // let me walk upon the water where ever you will call me // take me deeper than my feet could ever wander // and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior." 

Please Lord, let me never be afraid to call upon your name and trust you to keep me from what seems like drowning. Let my trust in You be without borders and when you call me to places known and unknown, let my faith stand. I pray that in all things that happen in this life, for every person, that through it their faith in You may be strengthened.

Amen.