“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” | Isaiah 41:10

Recently, I have been seeing a picture replaying over and over in my mind’s eye. The picture is of Jesus and I. We were swimming together in  a body of water, and He is swimming alongside me, holding my hand and leading me out into the deep. I am unafraid, even though the waters are unfamiliar. All is well because He is at my side, guiding me and protecting me. He reminds me, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you” (Isaiah 43:2).

I believe that Jesus is telling us in this season, “Be willing to forsake that which is comfortable and familiar, because you are going to be headed towards uncharted waters. Yet I tell you, fear not, because I am with you.”

I am reminded of the story where Jesus’ disciples had been fishing all night without catching anything. By morning, they were weary, after they had toiled late into the evening. Nevertheless, they honored Jesus’ command and obeyed Him when He said to cast their nets again (John 21:6). In this coming season, a lot of what we will be entering into will be new and different from anything we have previously known or experienced. However, God knows exactly where He’s leading us and where our provisions will come from, just like he provided the disciples with an abundance of fish.

It is at His word that we will hear, obey, and see the miraculous manifest of the Lord.

The Lord is not a God of lack, and His children will never have to beg for bread. As we continue to abide in a place of intimacy with the Father and turn our ear to His voice, I believe that He will honor our obedience and show us riches and treasures stored in secret places (Isaiah 45:3). It is the Father’s good pleasure to give us, His children, the Kingdom (Luke 12:32).  We will be blessed not only for ourselves, but so that we can help others in need. “If you pour yourselves out on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday” (Isaiah 58:10).

It is time to stop lingering at the shore and at the familiarity of our comfort zones. Now is the time to follow His leading and venture out into the deep; where He leads us is the safest place to be. Launch out into the deep; cast your nets into the waters, and get ready to see how the Lord will move!