The Great Deep

Reading - Psalm 36:5-10
 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
    your judgments are like the great deep;
    you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
    All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
    and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light we see light.
O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
    and your salvation to the upright of heart!

Reflection

     A couple of days ago, I saw a deep water scene similar to the clip above. I noticed that I had an internal strong reaction of fear. I can swim, but I do not want to be out in open ocean. You will not hear about Pastor Fitch swimming the English Channel (and that is not technically open or deep ocean). I suppose that if my life depended on it, I would go as far or as long as I could. There is just a limit to how long you can tread water or swim in the open ocean. I think part of my fear (besides drowning) is the lack of control and knowing what is below.

     "Your judgements are like the great deep"  When the Psalmist wrote this, they had a sense of today's statistic that 95% of the world's oceans are unexplored. I think sometimes we do a disservice to God and faith by trying to give answers. Often times, mysteries remain. We don't know. We don't understand. "You save humans and animals alike." I wasn't thinking that the animals needed saving. Yet, this does seem to be a proof text for "all dogs go to heaven." Certainly God's love for Creation runs deeper than our polluting and consuming ways. Oh, Dear Lord, turn us from being so selfish. Teach us more and more each day to love all as you love. Poke us again to see the value of all creatures and plants great and small. Shrink our pride and arrogance to see our measure against the great deep and the broad expanse. Instill in us awe of all that belongs to you. We thank you for loving us and forgiving us. Move us to work out your justice and fairness. In your Great Name, we pray. Amen.