I wrote about "deeper waters" almost two years ago, before the song "Oceans" became popular. This scene is one off the coast of the Dominican on one of our trips to Haiti.
After singing "Oceans" this past weekend, I've been reflecting on those lyrics. It has become one of my favorite songs. But, in light of tragedies that have taken place lately, and those in my own life, the words to this song take on "closer to home" meaning.
It reminds me of a time, not too long ago, when a song came out called "Bring the Rain." I remember REALLY having trouble with that song, mainly because of where I was in my life at that time. My thoughts were, "Why in the world would someone ask God to bring the rain in their life?" Knowing the pain I was in, it seemed preposterous to me. Who does that? Who says, "Yes Lord, bring on the pain, the hurt, the trouble, the loss." Even now, although I understand better the heart and message behind the song, I wonder how many of us pray that way.
Yet, as I prepared to sing "Oceans," by Hillsong, I was hearing that same message. Mainly in the bridge, "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me." Wherever. NOT just to a place, but often to a pain.
"Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander....." Once we are there, we quickly realize it is a place that on our own will, our feet would have never taken us. Yet, a deep place, "in the mystery" -oh, what a mystery it is- where we see a side of His grace that we would not have seen, had we not entered this place.
As I reflect on my own loss, I have to honestly say I would have never sincerely prayed this prior to it happening. But I have learned since, that if He does again "call me out upon the waters, the great unknown, where feet may fail", I know that I will "find [Him] in the mystery, in oceans deep..."
Because He's proven it before. He's "never failed, and won't start now." You and I can find Him there. In oceans deep.
We can choose to trust that His "Sovereign hand will be my guide." Yes, our feet may fail. Yes, we are surrounded by fear. But if we find ourselves there, His Sovereign hand will lead us through.
Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:38. He tells His disciples he is overwhelmed by sorrow. He asks for it to be taken away, to not have to face the waters ahead. Can the Jesus, the Son of God relate to me when I find myself surrounded by the sorrow, trying to "keep my eyes above the waves?"
I think so.
No, I know so.
Then, Jesus prays, "not as I will but as You will."
In John 17, Jesus prays to God that His hour has come. He knows what is ahead. In verses 1-5, Jesus prays, understanding what that hour points to: the glory of God.
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began."
When the hour comes for us, in which we find ourselves
neck-deep in the waters of sorrow, suffering or loss,
when our "trust is without borders" and we can't see an end in sight,
when "oceans rise,"
may our soul rest in His embrace.
Once we've been there with Him, we learn that we can trust Him the next time He calls us upon these waters. There in oceans deep, in the deepest waters, where His grace abounds, our faith is made stronger and we can see the purpose of that hour: the glory of God.
Some days are harder than others.
