"'Come,' he said." ~Matthew 14:29

I'm sure many of you have heard the song "Oceans" by Hillsong either on the radio or at church (if you haven't check out the video I posted bellow). It has become popular pretty quickly & is everyone's new favorite. I typically get hesitant about new crazes in Christian songs because they get over played very quickly. I enjoy them the first few times but after the 50th time of hearing it on the radio, I'm generally tired of it & want to hear something new. Though I fear they are on the verge of overplaying this song, it has struck a cord with me that makes me tear up ever time I hear it. So what it is it about this song you ask that makes it different from the other crazes? Well first lets take a look at the Scripture this song so easily draws me to, Matthew 14:22-33

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said,“why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus' call to Peter to step out on the raging waves feels a lot like the call to ministry & this song really encompasses all the emotion that comes with that. First, this song is my prayer for the work God has called me to. Doing ministry calls me to places that are uncertain & to do things that need me stretch beyond my comfort zone (ie like Jesus calling Peter to step out on the water). In fact, Peter said that if Jesus really was Jesus to tell him to come.  Why would he do that? Because Peter trusted Jesus.  So I too trust Jesus & pray call me where you want me to go.  But that isn't easy, so to remember God's promises & comfort are the things that give me the strength to take that next step. I'm sure Peter was thinking about all he'd seen Jesus do before he took that step out of the boat. So this song really is my pray to trust where God is sending me & to remember that God is good, faithful, sovereign, & my source of strength.

This song is truly beautiful & my prayer, but it also terrifies me & that is what causes me to tear up. When you really sing this song as a prayer, really wanting to step out on the water & go where He might send you, there is a moment when you realize just exactly it is that you are asking. I'm sure it is similar to that moment Peter says, "Lord if it is you tell me to come," & Peter hears the answer of "Come". Jesus told him "Come," to step out a midst the wave, far from land in deep, open water. And Peter did come but then it really sunk in what he was doing, & he was afraid. He saw the rough waters & was afraid & began to sink. I might not have ever actually been asked by God to step out on a turbulent sea, but campus ministry is a pretty good metaphorical one. When I sing this song & really pray "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", the whole time I am thinking about AU & being sent to do ministry there.  Then I have that moment where it sinks in what I just prayed.  I just prayed for God to send me to the students that don't know they need Jesus & are more concerned about where the next party will be. I just prayed for God to send me to do a job that I need to raise financial support for on a yearly basis in order to have a paycheck & the means to pay for expenses of ministry. I just prayed for God to send me to have to daily overcome my fears & be a leader when I'd more comfortably be a follower.  I just prayed for God to send me to do a work that is emotionally, mentally, & physically draining. I just prayed for God to send me into an environment that will constantly challenge my beliefs & scoff at what I say is Truth. I just prayed for God to send me to a place & a people that might ridicule me, reject me, & maybe never appreciate me. That is hard stuff & that is why that prayer, why this song, terrifies me at times. I can sing this song all day long, but what do I do when Jesus says like he did to Peter, "Come"?

But the fear doesn't last long. As Peter was sinking Jesus was right there ready to reach out & save him. Jesus is right there to remind me to take my eyes off those "waves" & focus on him.  "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" He has called me to come.  He will guide me.  Even if I'm afraid, I get to experience his grace & he will never fail me. I can trust him. So tears of fear turn to tears of joy, because my eyes are on His plan & purpose. So I trust & I see Him come through.  Those students that are so concerned about partying find themselves empty & they begin to investigate who Jesus is. That budget I need to raise, I get to experience God's perfect provision & His Church steps up to invest in & love on college students. Those fears I have become nothing when I watch a student commit their lives to Christ for the first time. All the hard work & long nights become worth it, & though I feel exhausted I am satisfied & full of joy. And the fear of rejection & scoffing becomes a heart that breaks for the campus & now sees these people as empty & broken in great need of hope & love. When you keep your eyes above the proverbial waves of life, things look differently. Once you've seen what God has done & how He is always faithful & never fails, you can only respond in worship to Him. Just like the disciples in the boat after Jesus calmed the stormed. Your soul really does rest in His embrace, because there is such great peace in knowing & trusting Jesus.  And that is why I can keep singing this song with a worshipful heart, because He is far greater than the waves.

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" Lyrics

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

[6x]
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

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

Chapter Focus Week, 2014 Photo Album

Check out all of our awesome adventures at Chapter Focus Week this year by clicking on the link bellow!

IV at AU, Chapter Focus Week 2014