Past the Waves

At staff chapel this week, I was taken with the story and accompanying insights from one of my colleagues about how she loves the beach and getting in the water. She shared how refreshing it is to move past the shore break into the deeper water. She also talked about how the noise of the beach diminishes and how the ocean seems to quiet itself as one moves  further from land. It is often in the deep water, past the waves that one can relax and quiet my soul so I can be refreshed.

God invites us to move deeper into relationship with Him. He invites us to move past the busy-ness of life and as we move deeper we find refreshment.  We create space to think and to listen. God also calls us into ministry. Therein lies the rub. How do we move ourselves into the deep and at the same time wade with those who are less adept at swimming? How do we quiet down and listen while still ministering to the needs and people God has led to the ministry we serve. In ministry it is very easy to stay along the shore break and be caught up with all the activity that is there. It often feels responsible to serve and to satisfy the needs of the spiritual lives of others. And yet that is not what I am called to do. Rather, it is my job only to be a conduit to the deep places. It is to be a creative cheerleader, mentor and a revealer of Christ and his purpose for them. Ministry is learning how to help people swim so they too can hear God’s delight and His instructions.  It is not to take on God’s job by making it “my” ministry. My part in kingdom building is to take risks, build relationships with people while staying connected and responding to the still and challenging call to move deeper still.