deep waters...

I have a verse written on a sticky note on my computer that speaks to my heart every time I see it...

2 Samuel 22:17 & 29:He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters... You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.

This morning when I first woke up, the verse I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13) came to me in the form of a devotional. As I pondered on that verse & the verse from 2 Samuel I felt like Peter... I have been struggling in the dark, deep waters... trying to keep my head above water but... I'm growing weary. I don't want to go under & I'm trying to reach up to Him but at times... I feel like I just brush His fingertips. This morning I prayed that Jesus would give me the strength I need to reach out & that He... in His mercy would reach down from on high & take hold of me... to draw me up out of the deep waters.

So many times I have found myself having a hard time letting go of things "that so easily entangle me" & I have been in that place again recently. During worship this morning Jesus gave me a very powerful picture... I was out in the midst of the water... in very dark, stormy waters. He showed me that the things I have been clinging so tightly to were pulling me down into the water... much like a weight tied to my waist or ankles. It was almost like the scene in the movie The Titanic where Rose had to let go of Jack's hand... by doing so she chose to live. Jesus showed me that in letting go of the weights that are pulling me down... I choose to live & move forward in what He has for me but if I choose to hold on tightly to those weights... they will only continue to pull me down. In that moment I had a choice to make... "Let go," I heard Him whisper... As hard as it was & has been... I knew I had to let go... and as I let go... I could feel Him lift me up & pull me out of the deep waters. I could see Him helping me into the boat with Him where it's safe & warm. In that moment... I chose to LIVE!