Several years ago I had a vision of me being baptized in Jesus. In that vision, I saw myself - all my past, present, and future - standing bare and unashamed before the Lord. What appeared to me in that vision was the vast ocean of God’s love for me. And you know what I did when I saw that? I gave up and I simply fell into this deep, emerald green pool – naked and unashamed and totally consumed by the water – falling deeper and deeper into His presence.
I no longer felt the need to perform for God’s love and acceptance. I just believed it and received it and became consumed in that love. I no longer perform to gain God’s approval. I perform - I live my life in reckless abandonment and freedom - BECAUSE I am so loved.
True freedom is born of true, sacrificial love. The love of God set me free and makes me want to live life to the fullest. Experiencing the love of Jesus Christ in the core of my being is like the most grand adventure - like an expedition - on the River of Life that the love of Jesus actually is. I experience life on that river by simply giving up to Jesus Christ and plunging into His presence.
"Do not call to mind the former things,
Or consider things of the past.
Behold, I am going to do something new,
Now it will spring up;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 NASB
We don’t have to walk around like life is a dreary, endless desert. We have access to the River of Life any time we need it. Personally, I make a practice of plunging in several times a day. It’s good for my soul. The easiest way to access that River? See the depth of that River - that ocean - with a diving board of gratitude waiting for you. Step out onto that diving board of gratitude and take a big leap of thanksgiving to God and allow it to catapult you into the deepest place of His heart and love for you.
Just between you and me, I’ve been doing this for over 40 years now and have never reached the bottom of God’s love…and I’ve tried! Trust me. It’s deeper than your deepest sorrow. Deeper than your greatest failure. Deeper than your worst anxiety and fear. Deep enough to reach you right where you are. Experience the grand adventure and simply plunge into the River of Life today…as often as needed!
Dennis Jernigan
To hear The Dennis Jernigan Podcast version of this teaching and to hear the song, You Are the River of Life, just go to http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/you-are-the-river-of-life/
Photo courtesy of https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2020/05/04/16/05/mckenzie-river-5129717_1280.jpg