The Deep End – Part 2

Continuing Michael’s message from the last post: Throughout the hard times we can share our testimony more convincingly when we put our life in His hands, not our own. People are not interested in how you handle success, but rather how you handle adversity. God will teach us through the journey of life, how to live by faith instead of fear. According to 1 Corinthians, all Christians struggle with the same trials and temptations. The question is whether we will choose to be different from the unholy, God-rejecting world system ... separated according to His purpose.

Those at the shallow end of the pool marvel at those at the deep end. Walt Henderson wrote "Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man."  He says "Life is too short and the stakes are too high to live mediocre lives." In the journey to follow Christ, we can choose to walk more closely with Him. In His proximity, we will come to know His character. His nature is grace, mercy, peace, and love.  When the Lord bids us "come", we must leave the shallow end and trust Him to hold us up in the deep end.

Casual Christians live at the shallow end of the pool also. They live superficially with high walls to separate them from other men and women. Cultural norms separate and insulate us from fellowship with other men and women. Most men and women are like a Christian counselor's patient who said, "My spouse is an island. I keep circling the island but can never find a port where I can land."  

1 Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:” 

We are outliers from a world of darkness.  When everyone else is sinking in the quicksands of life, our feet are standing on the sure foundation, the rock Jesus Christ himself. We may not have control but we know who's in control. We've been changed by Him who called us from darkness into the light of the glorious gospel of Truth. He has set us apart so that we can conduct ourselves in the manner worthy of our Lord ... to the praise of the glory of His grace, who has made us acceptable in the beloved.

At the deep end of the pool, men and women chase after people who chase after Christ. Other men and women will say to them, "You're a peculiar person. I want to know why you're so different?"  What separates us is that we "choke in the dust" of those in hot pursuit of their Lord Jesus Christ.

May God richly bless you!

Your brother in Christ, Michael