Fracking

Fracking.

 

Sounded a bit rude when I heard it on the radio this morning.

 

Apparently it's a controversial method of extracting gas from under ground.  A mixture of water, sand and chemicals is pumped into a well, under high pressure to force the gas from the rock.*

 

One of the reasons that it is considered dangerous is the possible links to earthquakes: apparently, the splitting of rock which takes place in the process was linked to the Blackpool earthquake.

 

However, some are pleased with the decision today to lift the ban on fracking, as this naturally occurring shale gas is considered gold dust and will provide a much cheaper alternative to imported fossil fuels.  Whilst there are benefits to this process, many will wonder if extracting the gas is worth the risk.

 

It's the same with us: when we are doing 'deep' work in our own hearts and lives, when we are extracting painful lies or experiences and replacing them with God's truths, we have to accept that, often, it will create 'quakes' and shifts in the rest of our lives.  We can't expect to carry out this deep work and for it to go unnoticed.

 

Paul uses very vivid and violent language when he describes this process of replacing our lies with God's truth:

 

"We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.  Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity."

 

[2 Corinthians 10:5-6 MSG, emphasis mine]

 

 

This is powerful and uncomfortable work, and we have to ask ourselves if the discomfort is worth it.

 

I am someone who likes to get to the end of a process.  I am solution-based in many areas of life and am Queen of the to-do list.  So I struggle to be in the middle of a process.  I find it really uncomfortable to be part-way through something - part-way through the excavations and extractions - and to not yet be at the end of things.

 

But I know that whilst I am in this process, it is God who is completing me.  He is the One who is extracting the negative things and replacing them with His truths.  And He is trustworthy.

 

"May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together - spirit, soul, and body - and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.  The One who called us is dependable.  If he said he'll do it, he'll do it!"

 

[1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG]

 

'Fracking' in our personal lives may be controversial, it may be dangerous, it may be painful.  But it may just be worth it.

 

 

 

* There's a very helpful 15 second summary of fracking here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20710481

 

 

 

Deep

When I am in the sea, I love swimming out until I can only just touch the bottom with the very tip of my big toe.

But I panic as soon as I am too far out and am in too deep and I hurriedly swim back to the shallows.

I do the same in life, too. I swim to the edge of my comfort zone, to the edge of my safety, but I always make sure I can still touch the bottom. Just.

And I panic when I go beyond this point, when I am no longer comfortable or in control.

But God calls us to go deeper. To swim out past our comfort zone, to go beyond our feelings of safety and security and control.

I have been reflecting on this verse this morning:

"Deep calls to deep"

[Psalm 42:7 NIV]

I don't fully understand this verse, but I think it relates to the idea that when we are in the depths of something, when we are in the "deep" places and we call out to God, His Spirit will call to us and will meet us there. He is the One urging us into new depths in our understanding of Him.

I think God beckons us into the deeper water, into the deeper walks of life because He longs to do a deep and lasting and profound thing in our hearts and in our lives. He is not interested in us simply playing in the shallows.

And if we are honest, how many of us are interested in staying in the shallows, really?

Yes, it's safe and sheltered and secure. But is it really living? Weren't we made for more?

We were made for deep relationship, with God, with ourselves and with others.

We were made for open waters and deep seas. For a dangerously exciting risky adventure with God.

We were made to go deep. And when we do and we cry out to God, He will meet us there.