My Toes Just Touched the Water

Toes

The current is strong what I've heard
It'll whisk you down the stream
But I never seem to have the time
So my toes just touch the water
My toes just touch the water

Daydreams on the bank again
I was swimming with the fish
And I thought this time it may be true
But my toes just touched the water
My toes just touched the water
My toes just touched the water

Walked a mile just ot find the edge
Some place low enough to step right in
Now I'm here and I can't begin to move

That spoiled sun up over there
Always has to have its way
But I know that the river is here to shelter me
But my toes just touch the water
My toes just touch the water
My toes just touch the water

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Sometimes a song make me think in ways the artist probably never intended, like Toes on Norah Jones' abum Feels Like Home. Most people hear it in the context of love, but I thought about spirituality.

The current--the Holy Spirit--is strong. While we wouldn't say, at least out loud, that being swept away is bad, we just want to stick our toes into religion. We want to remain, for the most part, safe and dry on the shore. Time! Time is our excuse! We are so busy that we cannot find the time for greater discipleship. What little time "extra" time we have it needed elsewhere more urgently, right? We deserve to sleep in on Sunday morning, don't we? We are supposed to spend time with our spouse and children, aren't we? It's just unfortunate that Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings are the only time we can do that. Yes, we'd like to start a daily Bible study and meditative prayer time, but how would we ever get to school or work on time?

But is time really the culprit? Do we not make time for the things we really want to do--our favorite television program, or favorite sport or hobby, or the latest popular book?

We daydream--imagining the life of faith we wish we had. We even plan how we're going to become that person some day . . . at some point in the future. We'll start on New Year's Day! Or next week! Or as soon as school is out, or tests are over, or this project at work is finished . . . .

Or we spent a vast amount of time looking for a way to just "try on" spirituality. We just need the right Bible study or Sunday school class . . . one where the teacher's voice doesn't grate on our nerves, or the curriculum isn't boring. We have to find just the right worship service, that isn't too loud, or too long, or too traditional. Yet, even if we find this perfect spot to wade into faith, we are unable or unwilling to fully engage with our minds, hearts and souls. We stand looking at the river of blessing flow past us, barely tasting its refreshing water.

Time isn't the culprit! Fear is! Of what are we so afraid? Are we afraid of what God will sweep us away from--our weaknesses, our addictions, our shortcomings with which we are so comfortable? Or are we afraid of what He might sweep us toward? What is God swept us toward a mission trip instead of another vacation? What is He swept us toward contributing to a food mission or clothes closet remodel instead of another mp3 player? What if He had the audacity to draw us toward Him instead of popularity at work, school, or community?

In our minds, we know that God is our rock, our shelter, our strong tower. And yet, we will not jump in. We will not jump into the arms of the One who gave Himself for us, into His river of blessing, into His will for our lives. So when the harsh heat of life beats down upon us, we feel vulnerable and weak, because only our toes are in the water. Only when we are totally immersed in Him will we find fulfillment!

So what about you? Have your toes only touched the water?

Merciful and Loving Creator, sweep us away!

One Word

I received this by email, but many that I would want to respond read my blog, either directly from the blog or when it announces it on Facebook. So I'm moving it here.


USE ONLY ONE WORD (unless specified) Not as easy as you might think! Now forward, change theanswers to suit you and pass it on. It's really hard toonly use one word answers. Be sure to send back to theperson you received it from!

Where is your cell phone? cough
Your significant other? work
Your hair? curly
Your mother? deceased
Your father? home
Your favorite thing? . . . internet
Your dream last night? . . . memorable
Your favorite drink? soda
Your dream/goal? Elder
What room are you in? den
Your hobby? sleep
Your fear? heights
Where do you want to be in 6 years? graduated
Where were you last night? home
Something that you aren't? . . . plain
Muffins? . . . berry
Wish list item? assistant/clone
Last thing you did? taught
What are you wearing? casual
TV? on
Your pets? spoiled
Friends? wonderful
Your life? abundant
Your mood? Monday
Missing Someone? yes
Drinking? no
Smoking? no
Your car? Suzuki
Something you're not wearing? earrings
Your favorite store? Hobby Lobby
Your favorite color? green
When is the last time you cried? . . . Sunday
Who will resend this? Denise
Where do you go to over and over? lunch
Five people who email me regularly? Denise, Teresa, Bishop, Stephanie, Carmen
My favorite place to eat? Lucky Chinese
Favorite place I'd like to be at right now? nature
Four people I think will respond: Denise, Suzanne, Catherine, Kristy