Published on June 5th, 2008 | Articles, Guest Posts

This guest post comes to us from Wade Taylor at Wade Taylor Ministries.

Launching Out Into The Deep

Wade E Taylor

Some time ago a minister said, “We do not accept the present move of the Holy Spirit, as it is shallow; we are waiting for the deeper visitation.”

I asked the Lord about this, and was given the following understanding:

“And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon Him to hear the word of God, He stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake; but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.”

“Now when He had left speaking, He said to Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” Luke 5:1-4

“The people pressed upon Him to hear.” Our being in the place where we can receive the anointed Word should be more important to us than seeking satisfaction from other things. The Lord will respond to our need when we place Him first in all that we seek and desire.

“But seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

This is a primary requirement for the deeper working of the Lord in our spiritual experience, and will lead to the approbation of God resting on our lives (divine favor).

“He… saw two ships.” These are always present, and speak of a choice that must be made, “His way” or, “our way.”

“He entered into one of the ships.” The Lord will step into our “need” when we choose His way.

“He… thrust out a little from the land.” The “land” speaks of the natural realm – our everyday life experience, with us in control. The “water” speaks of the spiritual realm – the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit, with Him in control.

The fact that He only “thrust out a little” means that the water is “shallow.” It is here that we learn how to respond to the presence and power of God. This includes learning how to respond and function in the gifts and movings of the Holy Spirit. Our response may result in laughing, shaking, falling, weeping, or, in an outward manifestation of joy. These responses to His presence will be as varied as we are.

Jesus chose to teach us in shallow water, so we can learn how to function in the deeper realms of the Spirit. This can be compared to children being given “educational toys.” In shallow water, there may be some mixture, our feet touching the land under the water (sometimes us, sometimes the Spirit). But, it is here that we make our mistakes and learn the principles that will prepare us for the “deep.”

Therefore, some consider these movings of the Spirit to be spiritually shallow. If we become critical or judgmental of these manifestations, we may grieve the Holy Spirit and be left behind, becoming spiritually barren.

Only after Jesus had taught the people in the “shallow” place could He say, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught.” Here, the response will be in deeper levels of burdens for others, repentance, or prayer and intercession that will not only change us, but will deeply impact the lives of others.

Now, the “principle” that the Lord spoke into my being, in response to this minister’s statement:

“If we do not meet the Lord in the shallow places, we will never be prepared for the deep, and we will miss having a part with Jesus in the coming day of His power.”

 |  Add to del.icio.us  |  Digg This  |  Email This Post