I sat on the deck looking out at the sea. Water as far as the eye can see in any direction.
The swells are unbelievable but made for a good night’s sleep, as they rocked us gently.
Although I have seen the sea before, it is still so incomprehensible to my eyes and mind. The expanse of ocean and water is just astounding to me. No matter how many times I have seen it, I still cannot wrap my head around it. For this non swimmer, whose mantra is “Let my feet touch the ground at all times”, it is frightening to think of the depth of water.
But then, maybe that is entirely what God has intended all along.
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:18-19, NLT)
Perhaps He has given us a visual to help us begin to understand …
there is no space we can put between us and Him,
there is no depth He would not go for us,
there is no height He would not lift us, and
there is no distance we could go to get away from Him.
Our finite minds will never be able to fully comprehend His infiniteness so He gives us glimpses now and then. We can understand to a degree but He must fold back the curtain just a little as if to say, “You have only just begun to get a glimpse of Who I Am.”
The tune begins to go through my head, the words coming back to me …
Now Your love, it is an ocean
Deeper than my deepest notion
Your grace, it is the sky above
It just keeps on going foreverAnd with every new sunrise
You come and open up my eyes
Show me just a little more of You
And again I see that…I am only just beginning
I am only getting started to know You now
I’m only getting startedAnd when I start thinking I’m getting close to the end,
You just smile at me and say
“Hey kid, you ain’t seen nothing yet”I’m only getting started
I’m only getting started now.(from the song Only Getting Started, by Steven Curtis Chapman)
For several days my eyes take in the beauty and expanse before me. I come to realize my soul takes comfort and finds peace in His infiniteness. A deep gratitude swells over me, much like the swells of the sea, overwhelming me with His great love for me.
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and #RaRaLinkup .
Sounds as though some information became revelation as you soaked in the Sonshine!!! So happy you had a lovely time of rest. I missed you!
The sea speaks to me as well — so many things, but the lesson of infinity cries out whenever I stand on the edge of land and think about all the hugeness of a continent spreading out behind me and the depth of ocean before me. Walking the dog, I’ve been thinking about Psalm 19 these days: even “the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”
Michele, it is so true. If we would but slow down and look around more, taking it all in, we would realize how creation proclaims God’s majesty and power. May we see Him more!
I love watching the ocean (and listening to it). I never thought about it being a “visual” from God! (and an “audio” too!) So many spiritual truths we can get as we take it in.
Betsy, you are absolutely right – the ocean also has wonderful audio effects on us. It is amazing how much truth we can take in from all that is around us.
I always find rest for my soul when I sit near a body of water, be it the ocean, a river, lake or even a pond. Looks like you found a nugget of gold by the sea-side!
Me too. It is amazing the calming effect it can have on us.
I have always loved walking by the sea. I had never thought of it like this before but it is a great illustration of the depth of God’s love. The song “Here is love, vast as the ocean” comes to mind too.
The vastness of the ocean impressed me like never before. We so need visuals to help our limited minds comprehend the greatness of our God. Or at least I do!
How beautiful that your fear of the sea turned into a revelation of God’s love. Thanks, Joanne.
Rachel, I so appreciate your comment. Thank you (!!) for reminding me today that only God can turn our fears into something beautiful. May you have a good week!