The Deep End

In life, I have found most of my growth has occurred in an experiential setting, not in a classroom experience. I am a student at heart. I love to sit under teaching. I love to read. I love to learn. However, a classroom can teach you a lot about character, but just learning about character will never produce character. Experience, whether marked by failure or success, contributes to growth of which a classroom can not produce. Learning through experience is always rewarding, yet it is not always fun. You get to experience your flesh and wretchedness first hand. Through experience, you also get to see the state of your heart. In ministry, being thrown into the deep end to navigate your way- is sometimes the best way.

Being thrown into the deep end is a scary thing. Think about being a young child and literally being thrown into the deep end while learning to swim. It is horrifying. You will kick, wave your arms around, and grab on to anything in order to fight for your survival. You might feel like you are in this position- whether you have been in Girls’ Ministry for days or years. Know, yes, it may be a scary place, but it is a beautiful place to be. Thank God, we have the greatest safety float to cling to- Jesus. We have Him who calms the deep waters with His Word and rescues us when we are drowning. He is right there when you feel like you have no more strength to push through the day. Even for those of you who feel you have no strokes left to swim and you are dog-paddling your way to shore- He is strengthening you, guiding you, and perfecting you.

God has used the “deep end experience” I have had in my life to make me who I am today. Through my experience I have seen my pride, recognized my gifts, gained wisdom the hard way, made some (lots of) mistakes, hurt a few people, loved a few people, and grown tremendously. I might not have wished myself into the “deep end experiences”, but I am in a place now where I can pray for them. In my “deep end” I cling to my Jesus. The only true strength I have- I find Him there in my “deep end”. Humbling. Sometimes we need a deep end to really know we are only truly alive in Christ.

By the Spirit acting in and through us, we are constantly being transformed and sanctified to reflect Christ’s image. Through our experience the Spirit reveals what we are, who we are, and whose we are.

What We Are

We are broken, wretched, sinful beings.

Who We Are

We are loved by the King. We are defined ONLY by Christ righteousness. We are gifted- you have God-given gifts- meaningful, needed, joy bringing and giving gifts. We are His vessels- His tool for bringing the world His life-changing, hope-filled gospel.

Whose We Are

We are His. Simply.

So, you might feel like you are drowning. You are not alone. It is not a bad place to be. You get to walk through your “deep end” knowing you have victory. Let God use your “deep end experiences” to bring you closer to Him, strengthen you, and mature you. He is faithful- that is a promise of scripture.