Deep and Wide

 

The ocean is truly amazing.  It can bring stillness and choppiness.  It can bring a sense of calm or panic.  It can be shallow or deep.  During these past two weeks, my husband and I have had the good fortune to cruise and see this ocean water every day.  I enjoy cruising and seeing so many wonderful places by just having to unpack once! 

When one looks out over the ocean, so many different emotions can come over them.  For me, the time at sea brings me awe and wonder.  As I gaze out into the ocean, whether it is on the shores of New Hampshire or in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, I see nothing at the end.  Just water and sky.  This is a bit different when you are in a car looking at the road ahead of you or even on top of a mountain where you can see the forest or town below you.  With the ocean, you only see the horizon and it seems like it never ends.  I can be mesmerized by the sight of it all.

When I have these moments, I can’t help but remember the passage of today.  First, I think of creation and how God put all of this together, just for us!  Then, it’s this passage of how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love is for us.  The ocean is an incredible representation of that.  When I speak to my grandchildren, I will open my arms wide open and tell them, “Babi loves you THIS much,” thinking that it is so much.   I then look at the ocean and see love in a completely different view.

God’s love for us can be difficult to comprehend.  When I reflect on the ways I have disappointed my Lord, I wonder why and how He would still love me, and to love me THIS much!  Yet, His promises never fail, and His love never subsides.  He is always waiting for me when I return to repent with His arms wide open and His love as deep and wide as the ocean.   There is no resentment.  How can I possibly deserve this?  I don’t!  God created me and gave me His promises if I believe in Jesus Christ – and that is something I CAN do!

The love of our Father has seen me through many difficult times in my life.  I am going to go out on a limb and believe He has done the same for you.  Life isn’t always easy; it can be tough and arduous.  There are situations when we may consider that there is no love in our lives.  Yet, God’s love for us is all around us.  It can be seen in the beautiful creations of our world, from the smallest ant to the largest mountain (or ocean)!  It can be seen in the smile of a stranger.  It can be seen in the miracle of birth and even in the sorrow of death, knowing a loved one will see God’s face!  The deep and wide love of God can always be seen in our lives – like looking out over the ocean and feeling God wrap His arms of love around me.

There are times when the struggles of this earthly life can get the better of us and love can seem so far away.  Know that God’s love, His deep and wide love, is always there for us.  Be silent and let God put His arms around you.  Go to the ocean to see how very deep and wide this love expands.  Open your Bible and read how very much He loves YOU!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the deep and wide love you have for us.  This love, so unconditional, can bring us joy during difficult times.  By holding on to our faith in you, may we always know your loving arms are engulfing us, giving us love and life to endure this earthly life.  Amen!