"Waters of the Great Deep" (inspiring/spiritual)

Imagine you are treading water somewhere out in the middle of the ocean.  Your legs kick violently downwards into the cold, dark, and unknown waters in a desperate attempt to stay afloat.  You greatly fear what lies below.  The creatures that may be looking up; the ill intended monsters of the great deep stocking your every move, and waiting to strike when you least expect it.  The anxiousness and unrest is nearly unbearable.  Above the surface there is no refuge either.  A hostile wind occasionally sends waves to rush up and swallow you whole, but you fight back.  With focused eyes, you can see the waves coming in advance.  With very focused eyes, you can even spot the waves just as they are beginning to form.  This gives you plenty of time to prepare.  Right before a wave hits, you exert increased energy into your legs, while tilting your chin back as far as it will stretch, and push up your body high enough to clear the wave.  If your timing is perfect, you can even ride the wave with moderate ease, and discover an unprecedented sense of satisfaction at the accomplishment.  However, your watchful eye often becomes careless, and your strained mind zones out.  This allows a wave to blindside you, slapping the side of your head and engulfing your entire body.  Such is the case in this very moment.  You are temporarily submerged in defeat, but quickly rush up to the surface in renewed determination while spitting up as much of the intrusive water as possible.  The salt stings the tender, inner part of your nose.  Swelling eyes causes your vision to blur.  The back of your throat, mouth, and stomach also join in the boycott against your careless behavior.  But you do not have time to apologize, for you are now in a state of increased vulnerability to additional wave attacks due to the temporary blindness.  With a sense of urgency, you try to regain vision by rubbing your eyes with a free hand while the other continues to paddle, but you are too late.  SMACK!  Another wave mercilessly crashes into your face; this time from the front.  You begin to panic.  You have now swallowed a significant amount of salt water, and lost precious energy.  Fortunately, after emerging from the water a second time, your luck changes.  Before a third wave is able to hit, your vision returns and you successfully counter attack.  Control of the situation is regained, and for a brief moment, the water comes to an eerie calm.  You are grateful for the opportunity to rest your body, but your thoughts are at unrest in the anticipation of the next assault on your life.  You are exhausted.  The culmination of this recent event coupled with the hopeless perception of an endless journey has you mentally and physically drained.   The pains and hardships seem too great and too frequent.  You question your ability to endure.  Your strength wanes from the miles of water already covered; the countless battles already fought and won.  Yet, before you lie additional miles of water; additional battles.  This of course means that continued focus and endurance will be required or you will drown.  But again, you are unsure of your ability and desire to continue any further.  For, as far as your eye can discern, there is no land in any which direction and therefore no end to the struggle.  The once mild tempest of reasonable reservation within your mind has now evolved into a raging storm of immense fear and unto the convincing of certain failure.  You are faced with only two options: 1. Continue forward in the hope that refuge will eventually be found, or 2. Stop swimming and sink into the dark depths bellow, and allow the creatures to consume your flesh.  A laugh of insanity escapes your lips, followed by a solemn expression of sadness and hopelessness, as expressed by the free-fall of several tears.  You are in desperate need of outside help; and you know it.    

In life, we cannot make it alone.  We frequently face difficult challenges and greatly need outside assistance.  But true relief is not found in alcohol or drugs.  No.  Comfort will not come through sexual immorality.  Peace will not be found in a life of thrill seeking and constant movement.  Strength cannot be gained in the pursuit of power.  Self confidence and inner worth will not be acquired through fame, nor will the most crucial, life-saving treasures be received from green paper or a black number on a bank statement.  What we need is the reassurance and encouragement of a friend.  The love of a family member.  And ultimately, we need the salvation of God.  We need divine saving from not only our innocently suffered trials, but from self-inflicted sins as well.  With our creator’s help, we can gain an understanding of our purpose in this difficult journey; the journey in which we ALL find ourselves.  

I wish to end with the testimonial of an ancient American prophet named Nephi.  Interestingly enough, Nephi was commanded by God to literally cross a great and mysterious body of water.  This is what Nephi says about the journey,

“My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.  He hath filled me with his love even unto the consuming of my flesh…behold, he hath heard my cry…and by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.”  2 Nephi 4:20-24 (the Book of Mormon)    

Likewise, if you seek God through prayer, faith, and obedience; he will minister unto you.  He will send the tailored help you need, and fill you with love, peace, and happiness amidst the chaos.  He will assure the successful completion of your personal life journey unto the obtaining of that great and marvelous reward which he has promised to the faithful: eternal life.  In short, you will be preserved upon the waters of the great deep.