Deeper Still

I've been thinking a lot since yesterday about the role of a pastor/preacher, and I think I've come up with a helpful analogy.

My role as a preacher (and really, I think, this applies to any godly person who is seeking to know Christ more), in relation to a congregation, and even to my friends and family, is to act as a scuba diver. Most of the people in the congregation, when it comes to knowing God, are content to "sit on the beach" as it were, searching the endless horizon and watching the beautiful sunsets. And to some extent, that's okay; the beach is a stunning place to be.

But as a scuba diver, I've been brought by the Holy Spirit beneath the waves, to the incredible coral reef that lies just out of sight of the beach. I am to be staggered and awed by the character and works of God revealed in Scripture just as a diver would be when seeing the vivid colors and patterns and life of the reef. My duty and privilege is to daily swim back to the ones I love and say, "You've got to come and see this! It's more beautiful than you can imagine down here. You think this is beautiful up here? You've got no idea! Please, come deeper still!"

I myself, as a scuba diver, have been greatly influenced by a few who have gone before me and dared to forge ahead into the deep unknown. People like Calvin, Spurgeon, Edwards, Piper... men of God who have moved beyond the beauties of the reef and discovered sunken treasures far below. While I explore the beauties of the reef, they bring gold up to me, saying, "You've got to come and see this! You think it's beautiful up here-- you have no idea! There are riches beyond your wildest dreams just a little lower. Please, come deeper still!"

And so I press lower, drawn by the promise of infinite riches further down into the heart of God. I'm on a quest for treasure-- not a hunt for wisdom or knowledge or brownie points with God. I've been captivated by beauty in the shallows, and I have heard tell of wonders that will take your breath away if you are willing to swim to them.

And oh, how sweet will heaven be, when we will no longer have need for the earthly trappings of air tanks and masks, but will be able to swim freely in the endless ocean of the heart of God! In that place, just like the beach paled in comparison to the reef, which paled in comparison to the sunken treasure, so too every earthly glimpse of glory will be consumed and forgotten in the depths to which God will take His people. The oceans of this world grow darker and colder the deeper you go, but there, each step deeper brings more light and warmth and glory. Metaphors cease and words fail in the presence of such splendor.

Oh how I long to get there! Come deeper still with me!