God desires that we swim in ever increasing times in His presence. Some of us are staying in the shallows and not jumping into the river of His presence. We stay in the shallows because of a high level of despondency towards the things of God. We stay in a place of comfort and familiarity. We want things quickly and fast. However, there are still things that take time, consistency and effort.
In the shallows, we cannot see clearly. Our vision is blurred. When we stay the shallows, it seems as though we no longer have a desire for God. We no longer attend church with eagerness and expectancy. We have no desire for God. We begin to complain about what is not instead of focussing on what God is doing. Many times, we focus on what happened yesterday and on past experiences with God and not on what God is doing now. God is calling us to arise and shine (Isaiah 60).
The shallow life is not the best life. It is in the shallow where a lot of crabs, worms and sharks live. It is the place where there is gossip and complaining. When we stay in the shallows, we will continue to be influenced by negative people. Old mindsets, traditions and past experiences keep us in the shallow. New behaviours can also become learnt behaviors where we become familiar and make them traditions. However, now is the time to move. Behold, God is doing a new thing.
There are also some who are in the shallows because of past hurts from spiritual leadership. We carry this hurt with us and therefore, find it hard to be in the presence of God. Many leaders hold back their congregation because of fear. When a parent carries the child to the sea, they are sometimes fearful and therefore, do not allow their children to go too far into the sea. This is the same in the spiritual. Spiritual leaders hold back because of the fear of development and advancement of the people in the church. They control the people because they fear to lose control over the congregation. Some spiritual leaders manipulate the congregation into doing stuff that is against the Word of God.
We come to church in life jackets because of these hurts. We do not participate and end up warming the benches. We never swim but only stay afloat. It is time to take off the life jacket and break down every wall that we’ve built to protect ourselves. There is a river flowing in the sanctuary to heal and restore us. God is lifting us up today.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NKJV)
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 (NKJV)
And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. Ezekiel 47:9 (NKJV)
