Years ago, I read Jeremiah 20:9 and it sparked something in me.
"If I say, I will not make mention of [the Lord] or speak any more in His name, in my mind
and heart it is as if there were a burning fire shut up in my bones. And I am weary of enduring and holding it in; I
cannot [contain it any longer]."
I read those words and was struck with the vast distance between my own passion and Jeremiah's.
I began to cry out for fire - the fire which burns and consumes, even to the marrow of my bones. I did not realize
what I was asking for, only that I'd caught a glimpse of something and couldn't look away.
Although passion - worship - cannot ever be put neatly into a box or laid out in 'four simple
steps', I want to share a picture which the Spirit gave to me from Ezekiel 47:1-12.
This is the familiar passage in which Ezekiel saw the river flowing from under the threshold
of the house of the Lord. His guide measured out a thousand cubits and the waters were ankle-deep. A thousand
more, and they reached to the knees. Again, a thousand cubits were measured and Ezekiel passed through waters to his
loins.
Lastly, a thousand more cubits were measured and Ezekiel 47:5 records, "...it was a river that
I could not pass through, for the waters had risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over or through."
Simply put, the waters were over Ezekiel's head; his feet could not touch the bottom.
The picture the Lord gave me was of a life-style of worship which goes deeper and deeper,
with distinct stages or markers.
Our first encounter with God is like stepping ankle-deep into the river. I saw a picture
of a young toddler stepping into a wading pool for the first time; his eyes widened in surprise and delight. This stage
in our walk is marked with the awe of God. We are both surprised and in awe of our Creator as He opens our
eyes to glimpse revelations of the wonder of Himself. Just as some children allow fear to take hold and become afraid
of the water, while others find it is their favorite place, we also make a choice at this stage to go deeper or to step away
from Him.
Next, if we continue, the water reaches our knees - and our awe grows into a deep,
abiding respect. We are no longer just excited, but find ourselves unable to stand before Him as we kneel in honor,
overcome by His holiness. We openly acknowledge that He is truly worthy of our respect.
As this awe and respect continue to grow, we pass through waters which reach to the loins -
stepping into a realm of intimacy with our Maker that is beyond understanding. Suddenly, we find ourselves passionately
in love, longing for the tender voice and close touch of our Beloved. In this place of intimacy, secret purposes and
plans of the Most High are conceived in our innermost parts - plans which will be birthed if we continue to go deeper.
In the fourth level, the water is now over our heads. We can no longer touch bottom and
have to make the choice to either turn back where we have more control, or to go on and trust His leading in new ways.
Our worship has entered the deep places of obedience. We are still in awe of Him, we are overcome with respect and love
for Him, but we are now willing to do anything He asks - trusting completely that He is all good, all wise,
and all powerful.
As the scripture continues in verses 8-12, the guide explains to Ezekiel that this
river from God's throne flows into a sea of putrid water where nothing lives. However, the river shall push the 'death'
into the outlying swamps and marshes, making the sea a place swarming with life. Fishermen shall fill their
nets with vast varieties of catch. Trees of all kinds will grow on the banks, bringing forth their fruit for food and
their leaves for healing.
If we are willing and deliberate in the pursuit of our God, being led into the depths of
Him by the Spirit of God, we will find our passion - our worship - taking us to places which we never knew existed.
As we go deeper in awe, respect, intimacy, and obedience, we will see the death of the world around us being
pushed back as life springs forth - life from the very throne of God.
"He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has
said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water." (John 7:38)
Amy
