In December, our Pastor asked us this question, “How Deep Will You Go with Christ in 2015?” He even asked us to write it down on a piece of paper. Today I want you to revisit what our Pastor wrote 7 months ago. I encourage you to think back to the commitments that you made in December and ask yourself this question, “How Deep Have I Gone With Christ in 2015?“
In December, Pastor Wrote:
Deep things are intriguing: deep water, deep caves, canyons and gorges, deep thoughts and conversations. There is nothing like depth to make us dissatisfied with superficial shallow things. Once we have tasted the marvels and mysteries of our deep God, we realize there are special times in our lives that God shows us the value of taking the time to search the depths.
As we approach 2015, God is inviting each one of us to dive deeper with Him instead of being content with surface matters. 1 Corinthians 2:10 tells us that the Spirit of God searches all things, even the depths of God. The depths of God’s wisdom and the depths of God’s ways are described as being unsearchable and unfathomable. Paul wrote in Romans 11,
“Oh the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable are His ways.”
Clearly our Lord operates in realms far beyond our ability to comprehend. However, He longs for us to explore and experience that which is beyond the obvious. Job asked the question,
“Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? They are as high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than the grave, what can you know?”
Divine depths defy discovery by the natural means of our minds. God reserves those things for those whose hearts are completely His. Only in this way can there be intimacy with our great God.
At the birth of Jesus, God asked several to go deeper.
- Consider Mary & Joseph – How deep did God ask them to go? How much did they give in their journey we call life? How much were they asked to trust Him? What did they sacrifice on this earth to obey the Word of God?
- Consider the Shepherds – How deep did God ask them to go in their belief in what was happening that miraculous night? Others laughed and scoffed at their story. Others mocked them for being poor shepherds. God asked them to go deep with Him and to give much.
- Consider the Wise Men – How deep did God ask them to go? How many would deride their decision to follow God’s star? How many would ridicule the cost of travel, the wear and tear on their bodies, and the expensive gifts they would offer to a child?
God asked all of them to go deeper with Him. To the praise of His glory, they all said YES. We too must go deeper with God. We must attempt to understand the depths of God’s providence. We must search out the depths of God’s love and sovereignty. If we do this, we will be able to worship God even when things occur that bring pain, sorrow, and affliction to our lives. This worship is an act of faith that is rooted in our trust of God even when we do not understand His actions.
We must realize that we have not yet heard the rest of our story. All the subsequent chapters to our lives have already been written by God. We just have not yet read them. To God be the glory for the years He has given to you so far. To God be the glory because on this day and everyday He is our shield, our fortress, our courage to face the day, and our great reward!
How Deep Are You Willing to Go with God in 2015?
We know what God has given to us. What are you willing to give to Him? It could be that you need to give Him your heart. You may be sporadic in going to church and want to give Him more time in public worship. You may want to give Him your time in serving in a ministry like Awana, FX, Upwards, or Sunday School. You may have anxiety, depression, or fear and need to give those to God and let Him hold them for you. You may need to forgive someone who has caused you hurt or even harm. You may need to spend more time in prayer. Whatever it is – give it to God. Write it on a piece of paper. Put it someplace that you will see everyday. Let that simple piece of paper remind you of your commitment to go deeper with God in 2015.
May we all go deeper with God in 2015.
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Osborne
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