Into the Deep

I live in Minnesota where there are lakes on every corner, however, I hate deep waters. I don't even like to dive in off a pontoon into the lake. What is in there? What is at the bottom? Where is the bottom? I am anxious about drowning due to an unpleasant childhood incident and the only way I like to be in deep water is if I can see the bottom. My fear is conquered a bit through snorkeling. I really enjoy it. Recently we were out snorkeling at Palancar Reef, El Cielo, Columbia Reef and Paraiso Reef.


It was magnificent. Except I almost missed it. See, I panicked during the first dive. Even though I had a waist flotation device so I wouldn't drown and I could see the bottom (and golly was it beautiful!), the waves in the deep ocean were crashing over me and the wind was rough. I couldn't get my breath regulated and I panicked. I told myself, Kimberly, God didn't bring you into the deep waters of the ocean to drown you today, get your act together. I mentally had to tell myself to breathe.  I counted my breaths and I relaxed and floated. I missed some of the beauty of the moment because of my panicking.  Though we hope to return one day,  bits of the first dive are lost. I missed some of the treasures of rare beauty because I panicked.




As I was floating, God was speaking to me about deep waters. In the deep waters of my life, when I couldn't see the bottom when the winds were rough and waves were crashing over me like fierce giants, he has been ever faithful and ever true. His word full of his promises for me is my flotation device and need to rest in him and breathe deeply and trust him at his word.  I have panicked before in life. Actually, I have had massive panic attacks that freeze me up. The only way for me to work my way through it is by worship music, by turning my thoughts deeply toward the one who made me. The Bible says that we are to be knitted to God.


1 John 2:27 says in the Amplified version that, "We must remain in Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him]."  Knitted? So, do you knit? I do not. I sew and I know that when a thread or a yarn is wrapped around thread it is stronger. That is why we are to be wrapped around our Father. We are stronger in him. We are to be knitted to him. Rooted deeply in him so when we feel like we are in the middle of the ocean without snorkel gear or scuba gear and no life preserver, we can trust the one who made us, who knows us full well and who has promises for us written in scarlet and he will be with us even in the deepest of waters.


Bethel Music has a song called Goodness of God and the repeating line is: "All my life you have been faithful. All my life you have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the Goodness of God."

It is true. It is all true.  My entire life from my very first breath until my very last, I will sing of the goodness of God. His faithfulness chases me down. His love for me is unfathomable. Even in deep waters, he is with me and he will be with you too.


"I love You, Lord for Your mercy never failed me. All my days, I've been held in your hands from the moment that I wake up until I lay my head. Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God. 

All my life You have been faithful. All my life You have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.

I love Your voice. You have led me through the fire. In the darkest night, you are close like no other. I've known You as a Father. I've known you as a friend. I have lived in the goodness of God. 

Your goodness is running after, it's running after me. With my life laid down, I'm surrendered now. I give You everything. Your goodness is running after, it's running after me."