Called Into the Deep: Trusting God When You’re in Over Your Head

Walking on Gulf Coast beaches, cruising in a boat at sunset, and kayaking on a warm afternoon are a few of our families' favorite ways to spend a restful summer day. There is something about large bodies of water that calms the soul.

Biblically, water is referred to when Jesus speaks of spiritual thirst and new life. In John 7, Jesus is using living water to represent the Holy Spirit's movement in us after we submit our lives to Jesus. He instructs the people to "Believe in me so that rivers of living water will burst from within you."

God wants us to experience a fulfilling life. Psalms 16:11 says, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy..." His plans and purposes are beyond what we can imagine, and He uses everything we experience for our good! So amazing!

Author and speaker Rebekah Lyons describes our calling as the place where our talents and burdens collide. She states that God will "use your birthright gifts (our innate abilities and unique talents) to redeem those things that break your heart." Even our painful experiences and deep woundings are used for our good and for His glory!

My husband had a long road to recovery after he ruptured both quadricep tendons. We learned so much through this process!

As we walk closer to the Lord, He will call us deeper. This looks like deeper trust, less control, more unknown, but also deep fulfillment and peace as we move in the direction of His supernatural plan for our lives. There are definitely moments of fear as you walk towards the unknown, but overall, there will be a sense that you are moving in the right direction.

Ezekiel experienced a supernatural vision in Ezekiel chapter 47. This message was for the Israelites but is fully transferable for our lives as well.

A "shining man" led Ezekiel to the entrance of a temple where a steady stream of water was flowing out of the east gate of the temple. The man led Ezekiel across the waters, which were up to his ankles. According to the scripture, they walked 1,750 feet and the man led Ezekiel across the stream again, but the water was up to his knees. After walking another 1,750 feet, the water reached his waist. The shining man measured the final 1,750 feet and the river was too deep to walk or swim across.

"The shining man said to me, 'Son of man, do you see this?' Then he brought me back to the riverbank" (verse 6). The Passion Translation commentary says that this rhetorical question presented to Ezekiel could be made into an emphatic statement by saying, "Son of man, pay close attention to the miracle you just witnessed!" The commentary continues, "A river over your head points to the revelation of the Holy Spirit that is deep and limitless, which cannot be humanly crossed over or understood without divine help. When the river is this deep, we will become totally dependent upon the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, and empower us."

The passage goes on to describe the incredible number of trees on either side of the river. The man in the vision said, "This water flows east, down to the Jordan Valley and to the Dead Sea. As it flows into the stagnant waters, that water becomes fresh water. Wherever the river flows, all living creatures will live and thrive. Schools of fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the river goes, it brings healing, and everything will come alive!" (verses 8-9).

This is an amazing description of how God's Spirit brings life! In verse 12, the vision emphasizes how the trees will flourish, producing abundant fruit, and the leaves will bring healing. When God's Spirit is present and we're walking in His flow, there will be an abundance of growth, healing and life. We live on the earth, so perfection is not the reality. But as we step into all God is doing, we will experience the overflow of blessings that come when we are with Him.

Will it feel like you're in over your head at times? Absolutely! Releasing your grip of the future and allowing God to steer the ship will bring greater peace and less anxiety than you feel when the weight of it all is on your shoulders. You are free to step towards what God is placing in your heart because you trust that He has your best interest at heart. If we truly believe that abundant life and healing are in His plans for us, there is excitement to jump into the deep end!