Comments on the first verse of
the hymn I posted yesterday (found at the end of this reflection):
Here’s the text of the first
verse:
From shallow waters call us, Lord, from safety
near the shore,
And bid us launch upon the depths where
faith is tested more.
Let not past failures hope destroy nor
caution paralyze,
But help us follow where you lead and wait
for Love’s surprise.
Line 1: We have a natural
tendency to stay within our “comfort zones,” those places where we find what is
familiar and known to us, those routines and relationships that make up a
regular part of our lives. And some of us get to remain there for a good chunk
of time. But that is not always the way things stay when we open ourselves to
the Lord’s action and grace in our lives. Just look at the story of the call of
Simon (Peter) and James and John (Luke 5:1-11), and how their encounter with
the Lord changed their entire lives. The Gospel reports it so simply: They left everything and followed him.
The Scriptures are well populated with people who have had some sort of
God-initiated life-changing encounters. Consider Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, David,
all the apostles, the woman at the well and also people whose lives were
changed because of a deep moment of forgiveness (the woman caught in adultery),
or an experience of healing.
Notice also that this line actually ASKS the
Lord to initiate such a process in our own lives. As they say, be careful of
what you ask for.
Line 2: Have you had such a
life-changing event in your life? If you look carefully, you might discover
just how much your life has been changed by some sort of event, or call, or
yearning, or creative dream, or perhaps even the inspiration and strength to
break free from a particular habit or condition of sin. And what happens when
you make this move is that your faith, indeed, is tested, and as a result of
that, your faith grows deeper as you discover that this change you are making
is not something you are doing on your own, but that God is with you every step
of the way.
Line 3: Our internal critic (or
is it from the devil) tries to keep us back. “You’re not good enough,” it says,
or “After all your sins, how could you possibly thing that God would want you
for something like that,” or any other sort of distraction or detraction
designed to prevent you from making the move or the change. Many attempts at
creativity are often discouraged by critics around us. I like this quote to
answer that situation: “Those who say it cannot be done shouldn’t interrupt the
people doing it.” God is telling us: “Don’t play it safe. Don’t let your past
sins discourage you. I have forgiven you and I want you to come with me to
something I have prepared for you.”
Line 4: The most important word
in this line is “surprise.” If you heed the call, whatever it may be, you will
be surprised at what will happen. Guarantee. And note also, that the surprise
comes from love. You are being called; you are being helped; your faith
is growing stronger; and you will be surprised by the God-who-is-love who cares
for you and who will send you everything you need as you continue on your
journey.
God bless you.
The hymn:
From shallow waters call us, Lord, from
safety near the shore,
And bid us launch upon the depths where
faith is tested more.
Let not past failures hope destroy nor
caution paralyze,
But help us follow where you lead and
wait for Love’s surprise.
We cannot fish the ocean’s depths with
nets shrunk small by fear.
We need the gift of greater faith when
we your summons hear.
And, if we plead unworthiness from
what your call demands,
Then may we trust you’ll cleanse and
calm our soiled, unsteady hands.
We dare to launch on unknown seas and
cast our nets abroad,
For you have bid us grasp by faith the
promises of God.
O Christ, you crossed the same wide
seas you send us now to sail;
Be present when we reach the depths with
strength that does not fail!
For neither fear nor scorn nor death could
turn you back to land.
You knew no storms could carry you beyond
your Father’s hand.
Your cross seemed but a fragile craft
upon an angry sea,
Till Easter dawn brought light and
peace through Love that sets us free!
Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr. 1973-2007. © 2006, GIA Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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