In the summer of 2022 after just returning from a Sunday service, I saw a vision of myself. Overly tired from all the early morning preparations as I was invited to lead worship at a local church in the area.

I vividly remembered having to just lie across my bed. Whilst the husband attended to our children I asked if he can be with the children, for me to have a nap. As I laid to nap on this cool Sunday afternoon, not even fully asleep I saw myself swimming in deep waters it was an open ocean- trying as much to stay afloat my arms and legs grew tired after a good couple of arm flips.

Before I could curate anymore strength or movement I felt physically tired and weak, as I felt that I had been going at it far too long. Insistently, in this moment I did not feel i could carry on swimming, In light of that tiredness all I gasp was “Lord, I’m really tired, I can’t do this anymore.” Immediately, I flung both arms wide open as if in the form of complete surrender that this is the last straw.

Coincidentally, in saying those words I noticed that I quickly began to sink to the bottom of this big blue ocean and the further deeper I was going the more darker it became around me. Having looked around in the darkness, I felt a sense of fear come over me, that I quickly shut my eyes as if not to see anything around me. In my mind I knew there was nothing esle I could see in this darkness anyway.

The deeper I went further the darker it became and I knew it was not long before my body will reach rock bottom. As I was about to reach the ocean floor I felt two hands holding me up. Recognising that in this moment I felt lifeless, feeble and unable to even focus properly let alone open my eyes. I felt the strength of this hands that for me it swerved confidently in the deep dark ocean as it carried me up. As much as I wanted to open my eyes, I knew that if I did it would ruin this tangible experience of being carried. I immediately confirmed in my heart, that it was indeed the loving strong hand of God that held me up and propelled me up towards the surface of the sea. Prior to emerging out of the sea – I gasped in astonishment as I realised this hand saved me’.

I immediately sat up, having realised I had just seen a vision. This was a vision of my current spiritual journey. A few months, leading up to this vision, I felt a lot of pressure physically, spiritually and emotionally – a part of me was keen to do away with everything and go hide in a cave even if I could? Yet this vision was a reminder to me that it was the loving hands of God that held me from drowning and it was his hands that brought me to the surface of the sea.

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burnt up the flames will no consume you”.

Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)

In that moment I became overwhelmed with gratitude having just realised that God is very much apart of my journey and He is with me even if I don’t feel him.

Today, you might be wondering where is God in the midst of everything that you might be doing, what are the odds that the challengers of life can be overpowering. This can lead you to feel intimidated by your situation that it can potentially make you question your ability to trust God completely.

A few weeks after I learnt of this painting done by YoungSung Kim and immediately when I saw the painting, I was drawn to it because it reminded me of the vision I had and the arms that carried me through the deep, dark ocean to safety and to comfort.

I am comforted by God and confident to know that life will be overwhelming as it should, although it is essential on my part to recognise Gods hands over me in the moments where I feel like I need to give up I can always count on God to prevail over the other side.

Yes indeed, God rescued me!

Ascribing Glory to the King of kings. 🙏🏼