Deep Dive Into Faith
Diving Deep into Faith
As a kid, one of my favorite television shows was Sea Hunt. Mike Nelson, played by actor Lloyd Bridges, was a free-lance scuba diver and former Navy frogman who was often called on for difficult or dangerous missions. Journeys where he was required to go deep into the ocean’s depths.
Introduction: Faith and the Depths
Scripture tells us that Christ wants to take each of us on a journey into deeper faith. Much like diving, we begin at the surface, wading into the waters of belief and knowledge of God. Some choose to stay in the shallows, where the risks are low, and the effort is minimal. Others venture further, experiencing the true beauty and mystery of faith that can only be found in the depths. The question is: how deep are you willing to go?
The Stages of Faith
1. Shallow Waters: Faith at the Surface
At the surface, faith feels easy. Attending church, giving occasionally, and reading scripture when it’s convenient—this is the starting point. But just like a diver who never leaves the shore to find the beauty in the ocean’s depths, those who remain in the shallows miss out on the fullness of life in Christ.
2. Deeper Waters: Growing in Faith
As we go deeper, we feel the pressure. Deeper means learning to trust God in difficult situations, stepping into leadership roles, and practicing generosity that requires commitment and sacrifice. This is where faith becomes more than belief—it moves us to action.
3. The Deepest Depths: A Life Fully Surrendered
Beyond comfort lies true faith. The greatest divers prepare, train, and discipline themselves to achieve their goal of reaching the deepest levels. In the same way, mature believers discipline themselves through prayer, scripture, and surrendering every area of life to God to become more like Christ.
Here are 7 Ways to Go Deeper in Your Christian Life
Let’s continue with our diving analogy and explore a few ways that can help you become a believer who leaves the shallows and experiences a deeper faith.
1. Master Your Prayer Life
As a diver descends deeper, they must learn to control their breathing under pressure. Likewise, a believer must master prayer to navigate the challenges of life. Before making big decisions or just reacting, pause and pray. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
2. Trust in God’s Word
Deep divers train their minds to trust their equipment. We must train our hearts to trust in God’s Word. The Bible must be our foundation to learn he is faithful, especially before trials come. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
3. Stay Calm in the Unknown
In deep waters, a divers visibility is low. Faith requires trusting God even when we cannot see the outcome. He’s working even when we can’t feel it. “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
4. Conserve Energy for What Matters
A diver must avoid wasting oxygen on unnecessary movements. Believers must focus on what truly matters: studying scripture, prayer, worship, and service. Our culture provides many idle distractions that compete for out time and energy. “But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:7-8
5. Embrace Where God Will Take You
The deeper we go, the more we experience the fullness of God’s promises. Do not be afraid to step in to what He is calling you to. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10
6. Use the Right Spiritual Gear
No diver goes deep without proper equipment. Our spiritual armor—prayer, scripture, and the Holy Spirit—equips us for going deeper and protects us from Satan's attacks.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” – Ephesians 6:10-11
7. Keep Growing
Just as the ocean is vast, so is our potential in Christ. Never stop seeking deeper faith.
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” -2 Peter 1:3
Conclusion: How Deep Will You Go?
Jesus calls us to go deeper. The further we step out in faith, the more we experience His presence and power. The journey is not always easy, but we have a God who loves us beyond anything we can imagine.
Are you ready to dive in to the depths of His love?
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height. And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” – Ephesians 3:17-18
Credit: Ron Kelley
As a kid, one of my favorite television shows was Sea Hunt. Mike Nelson, played by actor Lloyd Bridges, was a free-lance scuba diver and former Navy frogman who was often called on for difficult or dangerous missions. Journeys where he was required to go deep into the ocean’s depths.
Introduction: Faith and the Depths
Scripture tells us that Christ wants to take each of us on a journey into deeper faith. Much like diving, we begin at the surface, wading into the waters of belief and knowledge of God. Some choose to stay in the shallows, where the risks are low, and the effort is minimal. Others venture further, experiencing the true beauty and mystery of faith that can only be found in the depths. The question is: how deep are you willing to go?
The Stages of Faith
1. Shallow Waters: Faith at the Surface
At the surface, faith feels easy. Attending church, giving occasionally, and reading scripture when it’s convenient—this is the starting point. But just like a diver who never leaves the shore to find the beauty in the ocean’s depths, those who remain in the shallows miss out on the fullness of life in Christ.
2. Deeper Waters: Growing in Faith
As we go deeper, we feel the pressure. Deeper means learning to trust God in difficult situations, stepping into leadership roles, and practicing generosity that requires commitment and sacrifice. This is where faith becomes more than belief—it moves us to action.
3. The Deepest Depths: A Life Fully Surrendered
Beyond comfort lies true faith. The greatest divers prepare, train, and discipline themselves to achieve their goal of reaching the deepest levels. In the same way, mature believers discipline themselves through prayer, scripture, and surrendering every area of life to God to become more like Christ.
Here are 7 Ways to Go Deeper in Your Christian Life
Let’s continue with our diving analogy and explore a few ways that can help you become a believer who leaves the shallows and experiences a deeper faith.
1. Master Your Prayer Life
As a diver descends deeper, they must learn to control their breathing under pressure. Likewise, a believer must master prayer to navigate the challenges of life. Before making big decisions or just reacting, pause and pray. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
2. Trust in God’s Word
Deep divers train their minds to trust their equipment. We must train our hearts to trust in God’s Word. The Bible must be our foundation to learn he is faithful, especially before trials come. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
3. Stay Calm in the Unknown
In deep waters, a divers visibility is low. Faith requires trusting God even when we cannot see the outcome. He’s working even when we can’t feel it. “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
4. Conserve Energy for What Matters
A diver must avoid wasting oxygen on unnecessary movements. Believers must focus on what truly matters: studying scripture, prayer, worship, and service. Our culture provides many idle distractions that compete for out time and energy. “But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:7-8
5. Embrace Where God Will Take You
The deeper we go, the more we experience the fullness of God’s promises. Do not be afraid to step in to what He is calling you to. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10
6. Use the Right Spiritual Gear
No diver goes deep without proper equipment. Our spiritual armor—prayer, scripture, and the Holy Spirit—equips us for going deeper and protects us from Satan's attacks.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” – Ephesians 6:10-11
7. Keep Growing
Just as the ocean is vast, so is our potential in Christ. Never stop seeking deeper faith.
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” -2 Peter 1:3
Conclusion: How Deep Will You Go?
Jesus calls us to go deeper. The further we step out in faith, the more we experience His presence and power. The journey is not always easy, but we have a God who loves us beyond anything we can imagine.
Are you ready to dive in to the depths of His love?
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height. And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” – Ephesians 3:17-18
Credit: Ron Kelley
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