Far from the Shallow
I had a dream about three weeks ago that I was in a large black canoe looking boat. I really could only see the siloheatte as I sat in it atop a large lake in the night. Very reminicant of Genesis 1:2 darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Suddenly, the boat capsized in a diving motion into the deep deep water, so deep I screamed out in fear because I was going so deep so fast into the unknown. I thought I was going to die.
Immediately upon wakening I am drawn to the words from Psalm 42:7 Deep calls to deep and the song "Deep Cries Out" by Bethel Music. THe lyrics are what I feel the Lord is calling us too, for such a time as this. They read as follows: I've got a river of living water A fountain that never will run dry It's an open heaven You're releasingAnd we will never be denied'Cause we're stirring up deep-deep wells, We're stirring up deep-deep watersWe're gonna dance in the river, dance in the river'Cause we're stirring up deep-deep wells, We're stirring up deep-deep watersWe're gonna jump in the river, jump in the riverDeep cries out, deep cries out to YouDeep cries out, deep cries out to YouWe cry out, we cry out to You, JesusI've got a river of living waterA fountain that never will run dryIt's an open heaven You're releasingAnd we will never be denied'Cause we're stirring up deep-deep wellsWe're stirring up deep-deep watersWe're gonna dance in the river, dance in the river'Cause we're stirring up deep-deep wellsWe're stirring up deep-deep watersWe're gonna jump in the river, jump in Everybody singing!Deep cries out, deep cries out to YouDeep cries out, deep cries out to YouWe cry out, we cry out to You, Jesus[2x]We're falling into deeper waters, calling out to YouWe're walking into deeper waters, going after YouAnd if He goes to the left then we'll go to the left, And if He goes to the right then we'll go to the rightWe're gonna jump-jump, jump-jump in the river, Jump-jump, jump-jump, everybody.If He goes to the left then we'll go to the left, And if He goes to the right then we'll go to the rightWe're gonna dance-dance, dance-dance in the river, Dance-dance, dance-dance, everybodyIf He goes to the left then we'll go to the left, And if He goes to the right then we'll go to the rightWe're gonna jump-jump, jump-jump in the river, Jump-jump, jump-jump everybody.If He goes to the left then we'll go to the left, And if He goes to the right then we'll go to the rightWe're gonna shout-shout, shout-shout in the riverShout-shout, shout-shout, yeah!Deep cries out, deep cries out to youDeep cries out, deep cries out to youWe cry out, we cry out to You, Jesus
He's been expanding this word for me on a few different levels the last couple weeks. As I've been dreaming about flooding and even my son and Anthony have been talking about the Arc and God's provision in the flood.
Using the river context in the song I beleive represents the final passage as the Israelites entered the promise Land in Joshua 3. This was the shifting point from where God provided for them daily Manna and lead them by a cload by day and pillar by night. He had brought them to the place he had promised but now, they had to fight to overtake that which was theres. God gave them a strategy, he gave them orders. They had to be obdient and faithful to inheret and be successful in taking over the land.
Anytime we expereince a big change in life if because very challenging, sometimes unbarable. We easily become accustomed to how things have been and the way the provision has come. It's in our dependancy and complaceny that God will create a shakking to wake us up.
THIS SHOULD NOT BE COMFORTABLE! IT SHOULD BE ALMOST UNBAREBLE!
There is a commonly used quote, “God Doesn’t Give Us More Than We Can Handle” First up, this quote is a twisting of Scripture. The actual verse in reference (1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. is actually referencing temptation to sin, and says that God will not place us in a situation where a temptation to do wrong is irresistible, but will always give us a “way of escape.” Essentially, it’s a verse that puts the responsibility for our own sinful choices on ourselves, and reminds us that none of us are locked into making a sinful decision. Instead, it’s a verse that reminds us we’re capable of not doing the things we shouldn’t do.
In conjunction with this, God's been speaking about the obedience that was required in the promise land. God gave them specific orders about not taking the plunder of certain cities. Can you imagine winning $1,000,000 today and God saying, 'don't spend any of it.' How would you face that challange? Considering you have been walking in in the same pair of shoes the last 40 years. This would be SO hard! This is what God is calling us too! radical, painful obedience. Not because he doesnt want good things for us. They are ours. Like the prodigal sons brother who was upset with his father upon his brthers return after squandering all his inheritance. The father told him, all I have is yours. The things God has for us, are ours, but it's not time yet. He has the order, the plan, the manuscript. Going into the the deep drowns our desires.
Back up to the song where they also reference deep deep wells!
Wells represent provision, water, and life. Without water we die. In many third world counries well's are their greatest need. Jesus who referenced salvation as provision from a well that never runs dry. Which metaphors we lie without a life in Christ. It is really hard to beleive for North Americans that God will provide. We often have everything we need. Their are many things we could want for, but very little we need. We only want to offer up to God what we can't cover. That's where this radical obedience comes in. Again, I want to mention this is so hard! I beleive God is calling us to put our money where our mouth is so to speak. TO put ourselves into those truely deep places where we can't breathe and we are so utterly dependant and uncomfortable that we are crying out to him.
During this season there is a new mainstream movie I haven't yet seen called, A star is born. Somewhat fitting as we approach Christmas but the main song called Shallow is so omnicient of this message where we come outside of our comfort zones to rise. Out of the Shallow. "Shallow"(from "A Star Is Born" soundtrack)[Bradley Cooper:]
The lyrics read as follows: Tell me somethin' girl Are you happy in this modern world?Or do you need more?Is there somethin' else you're searchin' for?I'm falling In all the good times I find myself longin' for change And in the bad times I fear myself [Lady Gaga:]Tell me something boy Aren't you tired tryin' to fill that void?Or do you need more?Ain't it hard keeping it so hardcore?I'm fallingIn all the good times I find myself longing for changeAnd in the bad times I fear myselfI'm off the deep end, watch as I dive inI'll never meet the groundCrash through the surface, where they can't hurt usWe're far from the shallow now[Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper:]In the shallow, shallowIn the shallow, shallowIn the shallow, shallowWe're far from the shallow now[Lady Gaga:]WooaaaahWoaaaaaaaaaaahI'm off the deep end, watch as I dive inI'll never meet the groundCrash through the surface, where they can't hurt usWe're far from the shallow now[Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper:]In the shallow, shallowIn the shallow, shallowIn the shallow, shallowWe're far from the shallow now
