You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown
Where feet may fail
And there I find you in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed
And you won’t start now
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 will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in your embrace
For I am Yours
And You are mine
Oceans, Hillsong United
• • •
It is interesting to me how life’s experiences take on greater clarity in hindsight. Lessons illuminated and patterns perceived through the active process of reflection. The last year has been an education for me. By traversing the rocky peaks and darkened valleys I have learned a lot about myself, my family, and my God.
I have been able to make peace with my imperfect past, find strength where I previously only thought weakness existed, and recognize just how God can turn all things to our good. That beauty can rise up from ashes.
In short, I’m feeling very content with where my life is headed and who I am gradually becoming. Through the grace of my Savior, I have felt a transformation.
A shifting.
A healing.
Two months ago, Professor Jonathan G. Sandberg delivered a moving devotional at BYU that has touched my heart. He entitled it “Healing = Courage + Action + Grace.” I highly recommend it, no matter where you find yourself on life’s journey. Healing is the process of a lifetime. In his wonderfully extensive endnotes, Dr. Sandberg relates a story that President Boyd K. Packer shared in the fireside address, “The Edge of the Light.”
The then-Elder Packer has just been sustained and found himself in need of counsel. In his search for answers, he found himself willing to be obedient but realistically could not see how on earth he could accomplish what he was being led to do. Discouraged, Elder Packer spoke with Elder Harold B. Lee, who counseled, “The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.” Elder Packer admitted that he would at least like to see a step or two ahead.
What followed was a lesson that followed President Packer throughout his life: Elder Lee explained, “You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you.”
This has been my experience as well. The fear of the unknown, the desire to know what lies ahead– these are things that have troubled me all my life.
I kind of have control issues.
But little by little, I am growing more comfortable with those tentative steps into the darkness.
Because my Savior has never failed me. And He won’t start now.
Faith is really one of those things that can only be truly gained experientially.
How grateful I have become for the experience!
March 19, 2014
