I find Jesus in the deep ocean waters, in the middle of a raging sea, sometimes it's there I hear his calm, singing voice even more than normal. When I'm struggling, wherever I'm weak, it's there that I feel Jesus holding me up by his right hand. I can close my eyes and just envision myself in the middle of the ocean laying on my back and floating, with Jesus floating under me. It may seem like I am the one doing the work, but truly he is the one who has my back and is holding the weight the entire time. And it's there when we are floating together- Jesus and I- that I can know wow, yes He is my savior and Lord yet again and I can let praise freely flow from my lips. This is my experience with God- my testimony- that wherever there are deep waters, he lifts me up, he calms my storms. That my God is faithful, and has never let me down, never let me drown.
There are times in my life when I've felt all alone. Times in my life when I've felt like I was in over my head, like I was too weak, too emotional, and too emotionally distraught to handle the next thing life was throwing me out to me. Yet for every problem, God provided for a way out; God proved to me that he was a true rock I could build my foundation of my life upon.
Even more than that, one thing I've learned in this life, is that my spiritual life won't grow if I choose to live comfortably. If I don't trust fall with Jesus, then I can't truly experience His comfort and providence for me. It's been the experiences in my life that were most challenging that have grounded in me a faith so strong- a desire to live my life for Jesus- wherever that may be and for that I'm so thankful for the challenges I have been through, because they give me another story to tell to praise Jesus' name and thank Him for bringing me through. Jesus wants to be the life boat in our lives; He wants to be our rescuer and lover who saves the day. But how can he save us if we are far too comfortable trying to save ourselves?
Every time we trust our lives to Jesus, or trust a situation to Jesus, he rewards us. Each time we choose to step out in faith- although the faith may be tiny, smaller than a mustard seed- he takes that faith and enlarges it. He gives us reasons to praise Him, countless reasons to magnify His name and He fills our hearts with a love so deep and real, that you can't accept it without it changing you. Jesus saves our life and our situations again and again. He gives us powerful experiences where we meet Him and experience supernatural feelings and friendships and then after we meet Him, He asks us do you want to do it again? Can I save you again? Will you continue to journey with me in this delightful journey called faith?
Isaiah 43:1-2 "But now this is what the Lord says- he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name and you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames shall not set you ablaze."