Putting Out Into Deep Water

So the Lord's leading us out into deep water these days. This…is a love / hate kind of thing. I love that we're expanding into new territory. I hate that it's so scary and un-navigable through my eyes. Though I know it is best for OMM to move forward into this new area of service and that staying back and doing just what we've always done is detrimental to OMM. That doesn't make moving forward any easier.

I think about the Israelites as they stood on the banks of the Jordan River looking into the Promised Land. Moses had just died and Joshua became their leader. I'm thinking they were afraid of what they would find on the other side of that River. Though they believed God that this land would be flowing with milk and honey and they would posses it, I'm sure many were thinking the 40 years in the desert was familiar territory and the fact that God had provided for them seemed a better bet. Certainly a safer one.

This is what the Lord said to Joshua as he prepared to cross the Jordan:

"After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aid: 'Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates--all the Hittite country--to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.' "

Joshua 1:1-9


Jesus said to Peter in Luke 5:4, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."


What a lesson for me today. When Jesus tells us to cross over and take the land…to put our nets into deep water…what is our response? Are we afraid? Do we look behind us at the easier, less fearful way that we had been treading? He certainly provided for us “back there.” Our life wasn’t necessarily easy, but it was sufficient. But, God doesn’t want us to rest in His blessings to the point that we become sluggards and spoiled. He has a plan for our lives and He constantly pushing us to move forward into new territory. Though where he seems to lead us sometimes seems so crazy and impossible…He tells us…no He COMMANDS us, "Be strong and courageous."

WOW.