“And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by” (John Masefield)
Before the age of GPS, before the time when man-made satellites joined the stars in the sky as tools for navigation, sailors sailed the sea guided by the stars – celestial navigation. They used the position of the fixed stars as their guide. The stars were their constant in the changing seas.
God is our constant. He is steadfast and unchanging. No matter what we have to face each day, or what uncertainties lie ahead, God is there with His mercy and His love. As constant as the Northern Star is our God. There to guide us, love us and bring new mercies and grace into every new day.
“Haal-e shoma chetoreh?”
In Persian one asks another “Haal-e shoma chetoreh?” It’s like our version of “how are you doing?” In fact it’s better than that. Translated, it is actually asking about the transient state of one’s heart. In other words “how is your heart doing at this very moment, at this breath?”
How is your heart doing? Is it overwhelmed? Maybe your heart is full of joy? Of hope and expectation? Perhaps feeling weary? Maybe you are like the tribe in South America that went on a long march lasting days. All of a sudden they would cease their walking and rest, explaining that they needed this time of rest so that their soul could catch up with them.
We see too in Psalm 42 that King David enquired after the state of his own heart. He asks where his peace, his quiet has gone.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” (Psalm 42:5)
He then speaks to his heart with faith, with hope in God.
“Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.” (Psalm 42:5)
If your heart is not doing well there is no better place to be than in the presence of God, in the hope of God, in the love and in the safety of God.
“When my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2)
Why would I fear the future? For I am being pursued only by your goodness and unfailing love.
(Psalm 23:6 Passion Translation)
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour
Trust without borders. Dare we? Dare we remove the limits to our faith? Those safeguards that lie at our faith’s edge? Dare we declare to God for Him to take us deeper than before?
We all have those borders – those places of security. Our health, relationships, our financial provision, our job security, our reputation, our identity. Without borders is putting that on the line. It is saying I will trust you to what you call me to, to what ever happens, I will trust.
It sounds scary to live a life without limits. But actually trusting in God is what makes us appear brave on the outside. It’s when we choose to ignore what our circumstances are telling us. It’s when despite the reality around us we choose to step out of the boat to what God has called us to. We choose to trust Him. To seek Him in the deepest waters, to seek Him in the mystery .
It means that there is nothing that will halt our faith. Nothing that puts limits on our trust in God.
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
