Uplook - February 15, 2025
Seattle Saints,
Today I'm sitting next to an indoor swimming pool watching my granddaughter's swimming therapy lesson. This is shared with her permission. We don't often think of swimming this time of year, but it did remind me of something which has been going through my mind for a while. There is a scripture in Ezekiel 47 which speaks prophetically of a river flowing out of the Temple complex. After observing the water it is then measured out about 1500 feet at a time, eventually deepening to swimming depth. The entire text speaks of how this water will transform the salty waters (apparently of the Dead Sea) and bring them to life once again.
Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. Ezekiel 47:5
I was most struck by the admonition that when the waters were finally deep enough...they were "waters to swim in". I thought about how many of us are afraid of the water or to get deep enough where we can really swim. We most often prefer the safety of being able to touch the bottom or hold on to the edge of the pool. In a lake or the ocean we want to be able to see the shoreline or boat.
And yet...God calls us to move out of the comfort of the shallows and into the deep water so we can fully experience his love and grace. My granddaughter excels in the water and yet has a teacher/therapist which is always nearby in the pool who allows her freedom of movement. The Lord is like that with us...always nearby but allowing us move freely within his love and grace.
May I encourage you to embrace the words of the old hymn entitled "The Mercy of God"
1 The mercy of God is an ocean divine, A boundless and fathomless flood;
Launch out in the deep, cut away the shore line,And be lost in the fullness of God.
Refrain:
Launch out into the deep, O, let the shore line go,
Launch out, launch out in the ocean divine, Out where the full tides flow.
2 But many, alas! only stand on the shore. And gaze on the ocean so wide;
They never have ventured its depths to explore, Or to launch on the fathomless tide. [Refrain]
3 And others just venture away from the land, And linger so near to the shore,
That the surf and the slime that beat over the strand, Dash o'er them in floods evermore. [Refrain]
4 O let us launch out on this ocean so broad, Where the floods of salvation e’er flow;
O, let us be lost in the mercy of God, Till the depths of His fullness we know. [Refrain]
May we not be satisfied to stay in the "shallow end" or near the shore but to launch out into the fullness of Gods love and will for us.
God bless you all.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
Seattle, WA
Today I'm sitting next to an indoor swimming pool watching my granddaughter's swimming therapy lesson. This is shared with her permission. We don't often think of swimming this time of year, but it did remind me of something which has been going through my mind for a while. There is a scripture in Ezekiel 47 which speaks prophetically of a river flowing out of the Temple complex. After observing the water it is then measured out about 1500 feet at a time, eventually deepening to swimming depth. The entire text speaks of how this water will transform the salty waters (apparently of the Dead Sea) and bring them to life once again.
Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. Ezekiel 47:5
I was most struck by the admonition that when the waters were finally deep enough...they were "waters to swim in". I thought about how many of us are afraid of the water or to get deep enough where we can really swim. We most often prefer the safety of being able to touch the bottom or hold on to the edge of the pool. In a lake or the ocean we want to be able to see the shoreline or boat.
And yet...God calls us to move out of the comfort of the shallows and into the deep water so we can fully experience his love and grace. My granddaughter excels in the water and yet has a teacher/therapist which is always nearby in the pool who allows her freedom of movement. The Lord is like that with us...always nearby but allowing us move freely within his love and grace.
May I encourage you to embrace the words of the old hymn entitled "The Mercy of God"
1 The mercy of God is an ocean divine, A boundless and fathomless flood;
Launch out in the deep, cut away the shore line,And be lost in the fullness of God.
Refrain:
Launch out into the deep, O, let the shore line go,
Launch out, launch out in the ocean divine, Out where the full tides flow.
2 But many, alas! only stand on the shore. And gaze on the ocean so wide;
They never have ventured its depths to explore, Or to launch on the fathomless tide. [Refrain]
3 And others just venture away from the land, And linger so near to the shore,
That the surf and the slime that beat over the strand, Dash o'er them in floods evermore. [Refrain]
4 O let us launch out on this ocean so broad, Where the floods of salvation e’er flow;
O, let us be lost in the mercy of God, Till the depths of His fullness we know. [Refrain]
May we not be satisfied to stay in the "shallow end" or near the shore but to launch out into the fullness of Gods love and will for us.
God bless you all.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
Seattle, WA
Recent
Archive
2025
2024
January
February
March
August
November
2023
January
February
April
September
October
November
2022