The Ocean

Beautiful. Powerful. Dangerous. Fun. Life Sustaining. Unfathomable, unsearchable depths.

Many adjectives can come to mind when pondering the Ocean.  

Cesar is an incredible man of faith. We’ve shared his story on our blog before (‘Thanksgiving‘). From his bed, Cesar has ministered to countless folks from all over the world. Nerve, joint and muscular pain, as well as, relentless stomach and throat pain from ulcers do not keep him from communing with his Heavenly Father (‘Papito Dios’). With words and songs, he ministers and serves anyone who comes to visit…even if he is in intense pain.

Recently, we took a visiting team to spend time with Cesar and his family.  Cesar was encouraging a group of young men on the importance of staying in God’s Word every day and the Ocean came up as an insightful analogy.  Cesar has spoken many times on Jesus’ promise of being our daily Bread (John 6:35) and sustenance for life.  Something he lives out every day (the dude probably has the entire Bible memorized).

Yet this day, he spoke of the depths of God’s Word.  Cesar started by telling us of a visit to the beach shortly before he had lost his ability to walk.  He remembers looking out over the water of the Ocean and thinking, “Wow God, you are amazing.  You created this beautiful sight.  I am amazed by You and your creativity and majesty!!”

The next day, Cesar was home and watching a TV show where some scuba divers were exploring the depths of the Ocean.  In that moment, the Lord impressed on Cesar that He and His Word are like the Ocean with SO much depth under the surface.  The Lord showed Cesar that he needed to be a scuba diver and explore the glorious depths of God’s Word.  Cesar told the young men a simple truth that struck home like a hammer…you need to search every day in God’s Word. You will never run out of things to learn and explore about God. He is faithful and will show Himself more and more every day.  

What foundational TRUTH!!

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgements, and His paths beyond tracing out! ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?’ ‘Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?’ For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen”

Romans 11:33-36 NIV84

This truth struck home because the analogy that we use with our kids is that of mining.  We tell our kids that they can read and study God’s Word every day and not fully uncover all that He is.  Plus, He will keep showing you truth’s about Him all throughout His Word.  It is amazing to read the same passage again and glean something different than when you read it last year or 3 years ago. Throw a commentary in there and you will be blown away at how much depth there is to Scripture.

Our job is to mine His Word.  Sit down every day and feast off of the Bread of Life and Living Water (John 4, 6, 7).  

In Chapter 10 of his book “What Jesus Demands of the World”, John Piper quotes Jonathan Edwards who speaks to this topic:  “Our hungerings and thirstings after God and Jesus Christ and after holiness can’t be too great for the value of these things, for they are things of infinite value….[Therefore] endeavor to promote spiritual appetites by laying yourself in the way of allurement…There is no such thing as excess in our taking of this spiritual food.  There is no such virtue as temperance in spiritual feasting.”  That is a great summary.  

Cesar encouraged those young men, and all in the room, to strive after God every day. Dive into and explore God’s Word, like a scuba diver explores the depths of the Ocean. Even though you will never fully grasp nor explore all that there is to explore, you will be satisfied in the search…satisfied in Him.