Deeper
Ezekiel 47:6 He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river.
How deep are you spiritually? Our depth or lack thereof is simply the result of “spiritual reality.” Oswald Chamber states: “If you realize you are lacking, it is because you have come in contact with spiritual reality – do not put blinders of reason on again.” Many in the church are not convinced of their spiritual poverty when it comes to the depths of the things of the Spirit. They simply wait around to be raptured into it – not realizing they have a part to play in the depths they are willing to go. They are no deeper because they’ve chosen to stay at the bank and watch others experience the depths. As the prophet Ezekiel was asked, “Son of man, have you seen this?” The prophet was shown the depths of the River – but he still had to choose the depths that he would go.
Ezekiel 47:1-5 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side.3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4 Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. 5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. 6 He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river.
The prophet had a choice. He had been shown the depths of the River – but after that he would have to make a choice regarding the depths he would go. Many have been shown the depths but are still clinging to the shore. No pastor, teacher, not even Jesus can make you wade out into the depths – you have got to take that uncertain, uncomfortable first step. Spiritual depth still requires a physical response. The question is, How long is too long to wait by the shore?
