I cannot get this picture out my head.
I see beautiful waters many miles wide, glistening on the surface, but as shallow as the beginnings of a blade of grass. Standing by those waters I see many, many people. Thirsty people, who dive in and are hurt because of the lack of depth. I see people lying in the water, but unable to get drenched. There is great frustration amongst the people. It looks like a lot of water, but there is no depth.
I know God is speaking. I know He is trying to tell me that He should be more than a surface reflection in our lives. The waters must be deep or we will only frustrate the world.
Second:
Some time ago I asked someone I deeply respect about the place that the church (in general and specifically) is in right now – hungry, but not hungry enough. Thirsty, but not really thirsty. Wanting, but not desperate enough to push past the obstacles. The answer I was given took me by surprise – “It is as if there is a vast ocean of Glory and the deep waters of God just in front of us, but we are content to dance around the puddles.”
Let me tell you, I do not want the appearance of water. I want water.I do not want to look like I know God. I want to know God.I do not want to serve you with dry pitchers; I want to serve you His Living Water.
Genesis 1:20And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly…
You water the field’s furrows abundantly…
The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly…
Are you one of the desperate people standing on the perimeter of the water, caught up in great frustration? If you are, dear one, I promise you there is a river…there is a great supply. But understand, your church is not your source… God is. You do not have to wait for your pastor to lead you to the waters on Sunday morning, nor do you have to wait for choirs and angels to usher you in. You do not have to perform well to receive it. You cannot buy it. You cannot work for it. It is free. It has been paid for. It is yours for the asking.
Isaiah 55
1WAIT and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing].
Fresh, pure, unending supply of His Holy Spirit, His power and strength, His provision… all for the “self-surrender that accepts the blessing.”
Surrender… and accept the waters.
A Maasai Prayer
Lord, sweeten the waters
Lord, sweeten the grass
Lord, sweeten and swell all the rivers
Lord, thicken all forests
Lord, sweeten all animals.
Lord, give us land
Lord, let the land be green
Lord, give us rains
Lord, give us fruitful lands
Lord, sweeten all rivers.
And I add:
Make them Deep, O God.
Barbie Loflin 
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