Oceans (Where feet may fail)… and faith soars – Part 1

If you’ve been a Christian for more than 2 years, particularly in the ‘Western world’ it is highly likely that you would have at some point discovered/been introduced to a song by Hillsong United titled ‘Oceans (Where feet may fail)’. The song was Number 1 in 2013/14 on the Billboard Hot Christian Song charts for 48 weeks – that’s almost a whole year!

Having listened to it on repeat when it first came out, please believe me when I say, I don’t mean it in an arrogant way, but I thought 3 years later, it would have nothing new to reveal to me. I’d just heard and sang it, and many of its covers and remixes, enough to think “I’m done now; let’s sing a new song to the Lord”.
Well, did I get surprised last October (2016) when I clearly sensed Holy Spirit leading me back to this exact song. Quite unusual for me, I had been struggling with and praying through a bout of anxiety, triggered by a deep sense of feeling overwhelmed by a range of new tasks and responsibilities coming my way. I remember on 2 occasions having to consciously and intentionally regulate my breathing, because I was starting to hyperventilate.
I felt like I was being drowned by life.

And on that 2nd occasion, Holy Spirit revealed to me that I was standing before the answers to the many prayers I’d prayed every time I had sang this song ‘Oceans’.

The bridge of the song says: “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 would be made stronger, in the presence of my Saviour”

I remember belting out those words, internally praying that they would become truth in my life at some point. That I would surrender my desire to control and understand, and just let God lead me deeper into His presence and will for my life.

The reason I felt overwhelmed, like I was going to be swept away by the oceans of life, is because I had prayed for that to happen! I had prayed to be in seasons of my life when I would lean not on my own understanding, but allow God to lead me deeper than is comfortable for me and waaaay beyond my levels of competence. Et voilà, 3 years later, here we are!
Vanetta, the always organised, calm and in control one, is at the end of her tether, fighting anxiety, holding on for dear life, as Holy Spirit is leading her into waters she can no longer stand, let alone swim in. My feet are failing fast, yet my faith is soaring.

Like Peter, I either trust the Lord is calling me out into the deep end and learn to walk on water by faith, or, I let my anxieties drown me. Like Moses, I either believe God can split the Red Sea in front of me, or I try fighting Pharaoh’s military with shepherd sticks and a few swords. It’s a clear and simple choice.

Are you standing before Oceans? Are you overwhelmed with the demands of life? I believe there are 2 questions to ask and 2 choices to help us in and through it:

Question 1: Who brought me here?
If it is God, move on to question 2.
If it is anything or anyone else, quickly find your way back to wherever God is.

Question 2: Do I trust God or rely on me?
If you want to trust God, spend time with Him, read His book, listen to what He is saying He will do and what He wants you to do, and obey.
If you want to rely on you, good luck! And I don’t believe in luck …