Dateline: The Deep End
I had a long conversation with the Evangelist Denise Matthews in which she articulated the need to "Meditate on the Word of God day and night" (Ps. 1) by using this illustration-
"I remember a time when I was in Miami, FL at a luxury hotel swimming pool. There were people all around, and in, the pool and there was also a high dive platform above the deepest part of the pool. I decided to give the high dive a try, though I was inexperienced as a diver I wanted to experience all that the pool had to offer.
As I climbed the ladder to reach the platform my heart began to race and when I got to the top I was a panting, nervous wreck. I looked down from the platform and saw all these people at the shallow end (just up to their waists in water) and plenty of people poolside (in lounge chairs dangling their toes in the water). Everyone was having a great time and here I was on the high dive alone and scared but nonetheless a bit thrilled to be on the verge of getting something none of these other people were getting... So I took a deep breath and jumped!!! This is how I treat the Word of God. To jump in deep can be terrifying at times but I do not want to be content hanging around in the shallow end."
She then went on to challenge me personally, "Jacob, don't you want to dive into God's Word? Haven't you spent enough time in the shallow end? Isn't it time to experience all that the Bible has to offer?"
To "preach this out" let me just say that too many Christians are content hanging out in the comfortable parts of the Bible. Too many people are afraid to get wet. Too many are not willing to go deep.
Go deep. Experience all that God has to offer. Yes, it can be a heart pounding experience and you will be changed, but it is worth it.
