I started this post a few weeks ago but last night at Midtown the Lord dropped this song so deeply into my heart. During both worship sets I went off to the side to simply sit on the ground and sing alone. I find myself when I am worshiping looking around and focusing on the body as it worships together and that can distract me for God. Therefore I decided to get away and just close my eyes to talk with God, while talking I saw a combination of images that the Lord was bringing back from some amazing recent memories. Here goes what landed in my journal during worship...
"Picture of being in a river, like white water rafting, and Jesus pulled me into the raft and simply remembered me that I can walk on the cold waters, I will not get hypothermia if I stay in the water but that I can stand on the white waters and help direct rafts down the river."
This picture was triggered by the fact that just last weekend I was up on the Ocoee rafting with some great friends. As I have walked with the Lord its amazing how the supernatural simply becomes natural! The Lord gave a vision that has some serious significance to me by using the occurrences of just last week.
Here is what truths I felt coming out while I wrote down that picture, Jesus is my savior I can try to pull myself into the raft but I am far to weak to do it, therefore I need him to help me into the raft. I can stay in the water, its cold and all but I won't get sick, I could go through the rapids and that would hurt, I might get my feet stuck in the rocks that causes a lot of deaths. But overall I can stay in the water and its not gonna be that bad, for me that is describing how I can remain stagnant or cold of heart and sneak my way into heaven, and this life will be cold and bumpy but ill get through them Pearly Gates. Next he was speaking to why he desires for me to come out of the water and join him in the raft, because he desires for me to help guide other rafts with my brothers and sisters safely through the rapids. The water can get very rough but raft guides have a good handle on how water reacts around certain rocks, they can on most occasions keep their patrons in the raft. I do not know in what capacity I am to help guide my brothers and sisters along this river of Life but I am totally down to learn how as I continue to learn from Christ who is guiding my raft!
Just wanted to get some of these thoughts down, not trying to defend the theological correctness of my statements just putting the musings of my heart out there...
All is Life in the Presence of my Savior!
Paul Shackelford
"Picture of being in a river, like white water rafting, and Jesus pulled me into the raft and simply remembered me that I can walk on the cold waters, I will not get hypothermia if I stay in the water but that I can stand on the white waters and help direct rafts down the river."
This picture was triggered by the fact that just last weekend I was up on the Ocoee rafting with some great friends. As I have walked with the Lord its amazing how the supernatural simply becomes natural! The Lord gave a vision that has some serious significance to me by using the occurrences of just last week.
Here is what truths I felt coming out while I wrote down that picture, Jesus is my savior I can try to pull myself into the raft but I am far to weak to do it, therefore I need him to help me into the raft. I can stay in the water, its cold and all but I won't get sick, I could go through the rapids and that would hurt, I might get my feet stuck in the rocks that causes a lot of deaths. But overall I can stay in the water and its not gonna be that bad, for me that is describing how I can remain stagnant or cold of heart and sneak my way into heaven, and this life will be cold and bumpy but ill get through them Pearly Gates. Next he was speaking to why he desires for me to come out of the water and join him in the raft, because he desires for me to help guide other rafts with my brothers and sisters safely through the rapids. The water can get very rough but raft guides have a good handle on how water reacts around certain rocks, they can on most occasions keep their patrons in the raft. I do not know in what capacity I am to help guide my brothers and sisters along this river of Life but I am totally down to learn how as I continue to learn from Christ who is guiding my raft!
Just wanted to get some of these thoughts down, not trying to defend the theological correctness of my statements just putting the musings of my heart out there...
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
[x6]
I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine
Paul Shackelford