So, it’s 2020, and I am edging my toes into the water. Not the dive in, of previous days. Days before I knew the power of the ocean. Before I knew that our beautiful God allows almighty storms, that change the course of history. Before I knew that like the mother of Moses, God will sometimes cast us upon moving waters to take us where he wants us to be.
Like Peter, the storms have frightened me, the waves have come up over my head and blocked my view, not once but many times. They have blocked my view of the one who called me out, who called me to walk on the waves, who called me to come to Him.
And I am like so many saints who have gone before me – who have trembled at the calling, eyes distracted by crashing waves.
But I am not of those that shrink back, no I am not. I may slow down, I may walk softly in an effort to strain my ear to His voice, but no I will not turn back.
I will not turn back to a grey land without waves, and giants, and adventures and fellow pilgrims finding their way.
I will not turn back to a compromised land of comfort and just getting by.
I will not settle on the easy side of the ocean, with the promises forever out of reach.
I will press on, taking the hand of the wave walker, to take a hold of that for which He took a hold of me.
His gentle voice always beckons us to step out – it is the nature of His call, from the land of the seen and certain, to the land of faith and fulfilment.
But we are never called to step out alone, and I think that is where so many of us get it wrong. We forget that we step out with a wave walker, one who knows the ocean inside out, who commands it, who takes our hand and gently and surely leads us on.
Don’t step upon the waves alone. Take the hand of the wave walker, and don’t let go. Watch him walk upon the waves, learn from him, copy how he does it, draw your strength from Him and let His very nature seep into the core of who you are.
You see our courage comes from knowing Him, watching Him, learning His ways, becoming life Him. It is the people who know their God who will do great exploits.
And, what if you are not dressed for the ocean, if you are wearing a bikini for life on a sunny shore, rather than a wetsuit for life on the wild waves?
Well, our friend Gideon hesitated with the same concern. Knowing the weakness of His human clothing, he questioned the call.
And the Lord said to Him, the same as what He ways to you and I: “I will be with you.”
God, didn’t rebuke Gideon for his fear, He engaged with him in his fears, until they became faith.
And Gideon stepped out upon the waters with His God, and when the waves got rough, the Lord changed Gideon’s clothes, and He clothed him with Himself.
And what if your new wardrobe this year, is only found upon the waves?
We answer the call, we take His hand, we step out upon the waters, and we find a new wardrobe.
He changes us upon the waters, He clothes us with Himself.
So step out in your sunny shores bikini, but take His hand, and watch Him, yes watch Him, when the waves hit, clothe you with Himself, His very nature, a wetsuit of power for the waters, winds, waves and wonder of 2020.
Stepping out with you in faith, hope and love, excited for the wardrobe upon the waves.
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Kirrily and her husband Tim are the Senior Ministers and Founding Pastors of C3 Church City. Kirrily is passionate about seeing women released into their God-given identity and is known for communicating this through creative, poetic and colourful mediums, using teaching, poetry and fashion to bring full expression to this message. Kirrily is also the author of The Invisible Tree Series for children. She lives in Sydney with their three boys, Samuel, Harrison and Elijah. Instagram: kirrilylowe. Facebook: Kirrily Lowe
