“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.”(Psalm 42:7)
Years ago, when I was in college, I worked at a summer camp near Yosemite Valley as their music director and lifeguard. Near the camp was a small river that ran through the valley. At one point in the river, it had a small waterfall, only about ten feet high. But the water poured over this edge with some serious force and power. A number of us often went down to the river to hang out and swim and talk. Every now and then, we would hike down to the waterfall and just stand under the falls and let the water pound us. There was an awesome feeling of power and cleansing as the water thundered off the cliff and permeated through our bodies. However, not everyone was so eager to stand under the falls. A couple of people would just stand off to the side and catch the spray. And there were a few of the camp staff that refused to go to the falls at all so as to avoid any risk of getting even the least bit wet.
Years later, as I was thinking back to this time and reminiscing with a friend (a sure sign I’m getting old), God began to show me that how my friends and I reacted to the waterfall is similar to how we often react to the Spirit of God and His calling on our lives.
God pours out His Spirit on us and some people stand back as far as possible to avoid getting the least bit of Him. “My life is just fine, thank you very much. I don’t need God getting in and getting me all wet. I’ve got it all under control.”
Others stand on the sidelines and just catch the mist and spray blown by the Breath of God. Not willing to go too deep, concerned about how they might look to others. “Hey, don’t get on my case. I go to church on Sunday. I pray during the week. I’m involved. We just have to keep these things in perspective. I don’t want to be seen as a fanatic or anything.”
And then, there are those who run full speed into the “reckless, raging, fury they call the love of God”. Those who want all that God has for them and allows the power of the Father, Son, and Spirit to wash over them and make them new. To allow waves of the Spirit to permeate every part of their lives; to not hide parts of them or limit God’s access. Once you step into the falls, you are instantly soaked through to the very marrow of your bones. Nothing is hidden or dry. The Power and Glory of God can drive you to your knees, both figuratively and literally. “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God?” These are those who don’t care what the world thinks. They don’t care that they walk out of the falls they are drenched and dripping the Spirit of God all over the carpet and upholstery.
Today, you must decide: “Who will you be? How will you react to the call and power of God?” “Will you run from Him? Will you stand by the sidelines? Or will you run full into the Power and Glory of God?” “Who will you be?”
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