Walking on Water

I just finished reading the book "Water Walker" by Ted Dekker.  I love fiction.  I love escaping into a different world, taking a break from reality.  Books are great fun to me.  And with Christian authors, a lot of time along with the fun and escapism, comes little gems of truths that just resonate and enlighten, getting me thinking and helping me to grow.

This was definitely the case with this last book.  I am still and will be for probably a very long time, pondering the truths I garnered from this read.  It's one of those truths that very possible will shift my reality and way I perceive living in a very radical way.  Also I think that it will take a long time for this practice to come to full fruition in my life.

A couple of the passages that struck me.  (I don't know if these will make sense without reading the book, but I think you will get the idea).

"I'm here to say that you can't make the troubled waters of life go away by defending yourself against them.  You can only walk  over those troubled waters if you offer peace to them and leave the safety of your boat."

"I didn't say pardon, I said forgive.  When I say forgive, I mean to see no fault or offense in the troubled sea.  Let go of even the thought that it threatens you or has offended you.  See it as innocent.  Offer it it no blame or defense.  Stand tall and offer it, instead, your other cheek."

"Keep your eyes on me.  Don't look at the water.  Can you do that?"

"Forgive the sea and put your mind on my word.  Hear me!"

"Being transformed by the renewing of your mind....A complete letting go of what you think you know and trusting in what doesn't necessarily make sense at first. Faith."

Everything in you cries out to remain in the safety you believe the boat offers you, doesn't it?  Of course it does!  The boat is your defense against the water!  But the very defense is what empowers the water to trouble you.  Le go of this understanding.  Faith, Eden, Faith!"

So where is all this leading?  Where did it lead me?  Where will lead you?

The water.  The troubles of life.  The things that bother me.  The people that do things I don't like.  Fears.  Annoyances.  All the things I build my protective boat to avoid.  Unforgiveness, impatience, pride, arrogance, selfishness and self sufficiency, rebellion, unbelief, these are the things my boat is built from.  Its what I know and what I feel safe with, what I think I am entitled to and what I think is right.  But is it?  Is it safe?  Am I right and entitled?  I know it is familiar, this boat, but is it safe or is it sinking?  Is it my protector or my prison?

What if I could be truly free?  Take for example, annoyance and unforgiveness. Someone at work does something I don't like.  In my little boat I float on that water of annoyance.  My little boat is built by my pride of thinking I am right and I deserve better treatment.  I am all riled up inside.  This is not freedom.  But what if instead of condemnation I offer the person peace, see them as innocent (this is only going on in my own heart and mind).  Does that not free me?  Does that not ultimately offer me peace instead of turmoil?  What if I step out of my boat and follow Jesus on the water?  Jesus forgave, even to the point on the Cross when He told the Father to forgive them, for they didn't know what they were doing.

I am not sure where all of this is going to end up...but I do know that it rings true in my spirit and that I will be working and walking this out for a long time to come.  I don't want to spend my life in upset, confusion or worry, living in my sinking ship when I could be following Jesus walking on the water.