I don't want to be a snorkeler, I want to be a scubadiver!

I'm reading a book called Into the Depths of God by Calvin Miller. I actually have only read the Introduction, but that alone has inspired me to share some thoughts. Into the Depths of God, wow (if you didn't take time to ponder that phrase go back and read it again, slowly)! Putting true thought into that statement almost takes my breath away. In his book, Calvin Miller talked of his visit to the Great Barrier Reef. During his trip his son, who has years of experience and practice scuba diving, suited up and took the plunge into the darkness of the ocean water. Calvin on the other hand chose the more relaxing and safe view of the Reef -snorkeling. When returning home both could claim that they had visited the Great Barrier Reef but the truth is that the content of their experiences were completely different! The experience was amazing for both of them, the excitement and enthusiasm will be with them forever, but really only his son knows the Reef, only he understood the issue of depth. I believe that this concept is essential to true Christianity-the issue lies in going deep for deep reveals the reality of God. Yes, we can read about him and learn just as we can read and learn about the Great Barrier Reef. We can even choose to experience him a bit, like Calvin chose to experience the Great Barrier Reef, or we can take the plummet like the son and choose to be a scuba diver. It's time to stop being a group of snorkelers hypothesizing about the adventures of scuba divers. If conversations and study groups alone were enough to enter the body of Christ into the depths of God we'd be there! If that's not enough, how can we get there?
1 Corinthians 2:10 says

"But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God."

To me this is saying "if you want to be a Scuba diver and not a snorkeler you need The Spirit of God." It often feels like the Spirit of God is a touchy thing to talk about in Christian circles. I'm not entirely sure why this is, since the Bible calls God a Triune God. We seem to be pretty comfortable with God the Father and His son Jesus but palms sweat and hearts beat faster when the Spirit is mentioned. Sometimes I can almost feel the scepticism rise in the air. Then again, I suppose it's comparable to the thought of plunging underwater attempting to scuba dive for the first time. If you're not accustomed to it, it's bound to make you nervous and uncomfortable. We seem to have a fear of depth or maybe we're just indifferent because we don't know what we are missing. We're complacent and satisfied in the comfort of our snorkeling. Yet it's at that moment, when you're staring into the vast adventure below, that you must make a choice. Will you take the plunge- are you hungry for more? Will you overcome fear, unfamiliarity or even apathy in order to understand depth? When people ask me if I know God, I don't want to be a snorkeler -who says yes but knows there are scuba divers that know him so much more. If the deep things of God can only be revealed by His Spirit then my heart cries, COME!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YinijbeK7LY&feature=related