Here’s a thing Jesus did with his disciples that we don’t do nearly enough in America: He threw them in the deep end.His disciples hadn’t been with him very long. They’d watched him do the stuff, heard him preach a few times. And then he said, “Now you go do it.”
Think about it, no seminary education, no detailed curriculum. Just him preaching the sermon on the mount, healing a few sick people and then, boom! Off you go. Here’s how it reads: “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (Luke 9:1-2)
How is it that we’ve lost this ethic? Maybe it’s our risk-aversion, maybe it’s our over-intellectualization of the faith. Whatever it is, you just don’t see this happening much anymore.
If there’s a secret to AIM’s ministry, it’s this, “throw-them-in-the-deep-end-of-the-pool” ethic. I don’t know, maybe we’re too A.D.D.; maybe we’re not disciplined enough to stick it out in the classroom, or maybe we’ve got authority issues and want to see if the stuff Jesus talked about really works.
The deep end looks like the sex-trade in Cambodia.
The deep end looks like the AIDS epidemic in Swaziland.
The deep end looks like human trafficking in Moldova.
The deep end looks like a garbage dump in Mexico.
The deep end looks like you bringing peace to your family.
The funny thing about the deep end is that when you jump, you think you’ve left everything that’s solid and predictable and you think that you may well drown. But when you sink down into the water and begin to look around, you see that Jesus is already swimming there right alongside you.
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Seth, you have excellent insight about this life….thank you for posting! I need to jump in the deep end way more often. Since I am semi retired now…..I have the time to do more ministry related activities/service. I am even praying about doing some short term mission trips with AIM…..!
Well said… very well said. I love it!
I have jumped in the deep end in the murky waters of bringing peace to my family. At the moment I feel like I am swimming with sharks, but know because of Christ they won’t eat me alive.
CANNONBALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!
The deep end also weeds out the posers!
This is the best blog I have read in a long time. You get me pumped up for The Kingdom. Thanks.
Looking forward to the deep end!
T squad launches in 31 days, 8 hours, and 47 minutes.
I’m looking forward to what is fast approaching to be my deep end. There are some things that just can’t be learned on the deck or holding to the side.
Thanks for stirring hearts.
This is true; I know from personal experience.
I’ve found Jesus in the deep-end many times.
Your post recalls to mind how I learned to swim at age 4. Mother just had the lifeguard drop me in the deep end of a pool. The deal was a simple one: if I managed to swim out successfully, I got a Coca-Cola. If I failed… well, apparently I survived, but the story may explain my high regard for Coca-Cola.
To your point: I think we tend to get scared and preoccupied with the “deepness” of it all. But the Lord keeps us afloat, so it doesn’t really matter how deep the pool is beneath us. Being dropped in the deep end is just the shortest path to discovering that very liberating truth. Perhaps it is incumbent upon those of us who know this to give others a (gentle) push from time to time.
OOOOOH ME! ME! THROW ME JESUS! I just got this picture of my dad when I was little and we were in the pool, hoisting me onto his hands . . . 1, 2, 3, and rocket launched into the other end of the pool with a splash! I LOVE THIS PICTURE. I do desire Jesus to throw me . . . FAR!
Good stuff Seth!
love it seth!