First it was ankle deep, then knee deep, then up to his waist, and at last it was over his head and he couldn’t touch the bottom. It was a pretty revealing experience for Ezekiel as God led him into the river that was flowing out of the Temple. And so it is in the river of Living Water that we are invited to wade into. Have you stepped in? How far?
As Ezekiel was led further and further downstream he found himself in over his head. What does that say to us? The Holy Spirit invites the bride of Christ to wade in but some only step in up to their ankles, just believing in Jesus. Others go in up to their knees, offering up prayers for the lost. Still, some wade in up to their waist, sharing their faith with others. Yet there are some of bride that get all the way in and let the current carry them along.
At each stage we have a choice to go deeper, and it’s a choice that is left up to each one of us. We are never pulled in or forced to take another step. We are simply invited to trust in our bridegroom and go deeper; deeper into His Word and into our relationship with Him. He will allow us to go as deep and we want to but will not one step further. However, it’s His desire that we get all the way into the middle and let the current of His Spirit carry us along.
There is also something else to consider… Our relationship with Him.
If we only step in part way then only a part of our wedding dress is going to be cleansed of all the spots and blemishes that we have acquired. Remember, it’s the only the bridegroom who has the power and love necessary to cleanse His bride. And if we want to walk down the aisle to meet Him wearing on the outside the perfect righteousness He has placed within us, then we need to get all the way in. When we have surrendered our sure footing, when we have gone over our head and asked Jesus to take total control, then we can be certain that no part of our cleansing will be left undone. We will walk down that aisle as a pure, holy bride, wearing His spotless righteousness.
The question is, will we do what the Lord asks us to do? Will we ask the Holy Spirit for the strength to go ever deeper? Will we once and for all submit and become the Spirit-filled, fully mature bride that Jesus is coming for? It’s only in the Living Water of His Word (fully submitted and committed) that the power of the Holy Spirit will remove every spot and blemish. But if we just go in just so far; just enough so we can still touch the bottom, still remain in control, then we’ll never experience the incredible joy and power of being swept along by the His Word and His Spirit.
What’s your choice?
The only option for the bride of Christ is go all in… In Over Her Head!