Pastor’s Corner: “Scuba or Snorkel?”
Job 11:7-8 (AMP) – Can you discover the depths of God? Can you [by searching] discover the limits of the Almighty [ascend to His heights, extend to His widths, and comprehend His infinite perfection]? 8 “His wisdom is as high as the heights of heaven. What can you do? It is deeper than Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead). What can you know?
Are you seeking to know the depths of God, or are you just skimming the surface? Only you know the answer. Our current culture is so busy we can become proficient at faking it. We can look like we’re going to the depths when, in fact, we’re just skating. So you must answer for yourself. Are you seeking to know the depths of God? Or do you find that you’re just attending a lot of religious meetings, reading a few religious books, and learning all the religious-sounding language.
As we continue in the challenge to read our Bibles at least 15 minutes every day this week, I encourage you to go deeper with the Lord. Because I know He wants to go deeper with you. It’s like the difference between snorkeling and scuba diving. When using scuba gear you are able to enter a world which would otherwise be impossible to access. Snorkeling is fun but you simply don’t have the same experience as remaining far below the surface for a sustained period of time
As a culture, present-day Christianity has redefined spiritual maturity. The early reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin knew we were saved to glorify God (whatever that took). Today, we live to be blessed. We believe that mature Christians are the successful, happy and effective people on top of things and doing well. We’re more attracted to sermons, books, and conferences that reveal the secrets to fulfillment rather than going to God’s Word that leads us through affliction into the presence of the Father.
We seem more interested in managing life into a comfortable existence than in letting God spiritually transform us through life’s hardships and His Word. That cuts to the point, doesn’t it? Some of us are experts at looking and sounding like deep Christians, yet we are terrified to leave the shallow end of the pool. Don’t run from the hardship. Don’t seek a friend who’ll help you get out from under it quickly. Stay in it and go deep in the Word with the Lord. He will get you through it. As a result you’ll stop skating and God’s grace and glory are revealed.
Reading the Bible is like the ocean. Some of us will dance around the Scriptures, not really wanting to step in and get our feet wet in Bible study, but are satisfied to just listen to their preacher or Bible teacher tell them what the Bible says. Others will read their Bibles, just skimming the surface for facts and information. Some will get in knee-deep, reading the Bible each day with a devotional or commentary close by for reference. And then there are some who dive in over their heads, going deep in Bible study, applying and living out what they learn. Which one are we? I’m not sure which one I am from God’s perspective. But I know which one I want to be.
This question is for you to answer: personally, introspectively, truly. Are you seeking to know the depths of God, or are you just skimming the surface?
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton