In Ezekiel’s vision he sees a new source of life. An angel from God shows him water flowing out from the temple, a stream that becomes a river that ultimately flows into the sea. The river foreshadows the new life Christ brings, the blessings we enjoy, and the impact we can make as his followers. Every thousand cubits (one-third of a mile) the angel leads Ezekiel to measure the depth of the river (vv. 3-6).

The deepening water reflects how the walk of Christian faith takes us from searching to commitment to surrender. We begin by searching, but the goal is more than commitment. Commitment is good; surrender is better. Commitment is more about me and what I do. Surrender is more about God and what he does in and through me.

As we wade into the river of faith, and connect with the new source of life, we progress through several stages:

Ankle-Deep Water (v. 3)
The first steps of faith begin to take us into the water. We test the water. We cautiously begin our new journey. We have not yet made a commitment. We can walk away anytime. We search for answers to infinite questions. We begin to sense a presence we cannot fathom and a thirst we cannot quench.

“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him’” (John 7:37, 38).

Knee-Deep Water (v. 4)
Moving forward the river deepens. We begin to realize the shallowness of worldly thinking and philosophy. Our heart grows more sensitive to the ways of God. We begin to think more deeply about spiritual matters. We open our heart and mind to the claims of Jesus Christ as the real source of life. We begin to allow God to prune our old ways of thinking, in order to transform us into new creations.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17)!

Waist-Deep Water (v. 4)
We cross into deeper waters and make a commitment to follow Jesus Christ. We demonstrate this commitment through baptism. Baptism by immersion (submersion in water) illustrates our total surrender to Jesus. We will stumble, but we discover the buoyancy of a Christ-filled life. Like a compass that points north, our mind turns to Christ.

We desire to surrender completely to him, but struggle with giving up control. Only in allowing Christ total control of our lives will we find freedom. When our commitment gives way to surrender we will be free.

“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts” (Psalm 119:45).

Impassable Water (v. 5)
Deep water always requires greater faith and trust and dependence because we can no longer touch bottom and exert control. In this stage we yield completely to the leadership of Jesus Christ. In surrendering to him, we begin to experience real freedom. As the river takes us, Christ uses us for his purposes, not ours; his glory, not ours; and his plan, not our misguided deeds. Only in surrender is the Christian walk complete.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

In verses 7 through 12 we see the impact of this new life. The river flows into the Dead Sea and changes the salt water to fresh. Large numbers of living creatures and fish thrive in the new waters. Fruit trees grow on both sides of the river providing food and healing. The further we go through these stages of new life, the greater we can impact the people and the world around us. We can bring fresh water to our friends, relatives, neighbors, and coworkers, and help them come alive spiritually.

So where are you in relation to the river of life? Standing on the bank afraid to enter the river? Which stage best describes you right now?

Are you ankle-deep and just beginning to test the waters?

Are you knee–deep—on the verge of commitment?

Have you crossed into the waste-deep water and committed to follow Jesus?

Is God calling you into deeper waters right now? What is your next step? Are you ready to take it? Remember that only by going deeper into the river can we continue to grow in Christ. Only in surrender will we ever become free.