"Immersed in God"

Day one is completed and I must say that my brain feels pretty full already.  The remaining 12 days of classtime should be interesting!

I have heard some really intriguing things today.  Probably the most compelling is the Eastern notion of the baptized life as being "immersed in God."  Our instructor added that there is "no shallow end in God's pool, only the deep."

This place is in deed a holy place.  It is holy, not because it is a place where God is glorified in architecture or in worship, but rather because many of us are actively listening for and responding to the call of God in our lives.  There is a tacit acknowledgement that we are placing our very lives in the hands of the Living God who desires for us "more than we could ask or imagine."  In doing so we become aware of God's presence in our lives when we thought he was far from us - or to put it more accurately, when we were far from him.

Probably the most wonderful thing I heard today is that no matter what is going on in my life or in the lives of those around me, we are immersed in God.  God is not just carrying us across the sandy beach leaving footprints.  God is in fact bathing us in the waters of his love, holding us in the protective womb of the baptismal waters.

I cannot help but think of the joy of jumping carefree into a swimming pool.  Can you imagine doing a cannonball or watermelon into God?  For me a "preacher's seat" might be appropos.  Of course, I have belly flopped on many an occasion - and sometimes on purpose!  That image of free flying into God and getting immersed in him is as inviting as a swimming pool on a 105 degree San Antonio day!  It sounds fun.  It sounds joyful.  It sounds refreshing and reviving.  There is no shallow end in God's love, only a deepness both satisfying and terrifying to those of us called to jump on in.

Immersed in God?  Sounds like a plan!

Who's ready to jump on in?

Comments

[Dan Clark]

I'm truly glad you're getting this chance to immerse yourself in the living word, in the living water of a baptism of words.

blessings,
D&C&J&C Clark

[Ram Lopez]

Thanks, Dan!