Lori and I are very fond of animal life.  When we lived in Jesup, we often too the family to the Jacksonville Zoo.  On vacation, we’ve been to the Atlanta Zoo on more than one occasion.  And recently, we went to Chehaw Park in Albany (again) just to see the animals.  Imagine our joy when we discovered that Jekyll Island had a Sea Turtle Center.  Well, we couldn’t wait to go and explore and learn.  We took the kids there several times too.  On one of our trips to the Sea Turtle Center, we were told about a turtle that had been found at sea and due to its condition would never return to the sea.  For some reason (which they told us, but I can’t remember), the turtle would not dive.  They team couldn’t find a medical reason for this.  So, Mr. Turtle was unable to eat the plants from the sea floor.  It was spotted by fishermen, floating along, and in poor health.  By rescuing it from the water, the fishermen saved the turtle from starvation or worse yet, becoming shark food.

Turtles were made to dive deep; and so were Christians, but many Christians today are content to float on the surface.  We see proof of this in the declining number of “Christians” who skip Sunday School, skip Bible Study, and skip their daily quiet time.  We see it in the number of “Christians” who are content to read the Upper Room or Our Daily Bread, instead of reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Word.  We see further proof in the growing number of “Christians” who refuse to engage in any kind of ministry or service to others, who instead wish to be served.

Friends, we were made for something more.  We were made to dive deep.  That’s where we get our spiritual nourishment.  That’s where we learn and grow and thrive.  On the surface, we become malnourished and easy pray for the enemy of our soul.  On the surface, we are in danger of falling away from the fellowship.  The surface is a dangerous place.

From time to time, someone will ask me: “Well, Tucker, what’s your ministry about?  What gets you excited?”  And every time, I respond immediately: “Personal Piety and Spiritual Formation through Discipleship.”  Or “Falling in love with God and helping others fall in love with God.”  That’s what I want my ministry to be about.  That’s what the church’s mission is about, helping people take the next dive in their relationship with God.  Now, some Christians have enjoyed surface-level Christianity for so long that diving deep scares them.  However, we don’t have to go from the surface to the floor in one quick dive; we simply need to take the next dive.  That’s what I’m trying to do personally and that’s what I’m inviting you to do – as individuals and as a church family.  Don’t be the Turtle that wouldn’t dive!  Don’t settle for the surface!

Grace and Peace to You All …

Pastor Tucker