Stand On The Rock.

A Vision:

In the spirit I was standing on a rocky beach and the tide was just starting to come in. Out in front of me was a large rock surrounded by water.

The Lord said, "stand on the rock".

I started onto the beach for the rock knowing that 'The Rock' was a metaphor for Jesus. As I waded out into the ankle deep water and stepped up onto the rock I was smiling to myself, knowing that I had a pretty good idea what this was all about.

I stood there, facing the ocean, enjoying the beautiful view while basking in the presence of God.

The waves were beginning to splash up onto the rock and the water felt good on my lower legs.  Every once in a while a rough wave would break at the edge of the rock and soak me head to toe. The Father would remind me, 'Stand on the rock'.

Standing on the rock I was filled with confidence. I was confident that the Lord would protect me no matter what might happen. God is good. Again, I was reminded, "stand on the rock". I knew that as long as I remained obedient to the Father I would be  safe.

The waves were now breaking well behind me since the water had reached my waistline. Although the back and forth pressure of the tide was making it harder to stay on the rock I was determined to not relinquish my stand. "Stand on the rock". "Stand on the rock" I repeated back still full of confidence yet bracing myself.

I turned to face the shore which was now getting to be quite far off. I was hoping that the Lord was going to let me get off of the rock before the water got too high because I am a weak swimmer. "Stand on the rock" he said ensuring me that it was not yet time to swim.

With the water now shoulder high I was getting a little concerened and starting to question whether or not I had misunderstood what the Lord meant by "stand on the rock" Maybe this was the wrong rock? Perhaps he was speaking metaphorically and I missed it? My mind was starting to race. Where had I gone wrong? Again, with strength and assurance in his voice he proclaimed, "stand on the rock".

Nightfall was closing in and the water continued to rise.

With the water up to my chin, while straining my neck, I was tempted to tread  water. "Stand on the rock." Obediently, I did what I had to do to keep my feet on the rock. "Stand on the rock."  I knew that at any moment the Lord would give me relief. I remained faithful and was determined to see this through, although, fear was taking hold.

Taking a deep breath I closed my eyes as the next batch of waves completely submerged me beneath the water. I gasped for another breath, when I had the chance, hoping that at any moment the tide would turn or I would hear the command to swim.
Instead, "stand on the rock" was all that I heard through the sound of the ocean around me.

I was ready to give up and swim for shore but again I heard the voice of my king, my lord, my savior. His voice was peaceful and reassuring. I was able to get one more breath knowing that it would be my last before my salvation would come.

The waves washed over me burying me in the darkness that was the depth of the ocean. I listened closely. "Stand on the rock". I remained focused  as I held my breath. Now at a whisper, "stand on the rock". Dear God, don't let me down. "Stand on the rock." My lungs began to burn. My head started to spin. I looked up and realized that I could barely distinguish the surface. "Stand on the rock." The pain in my head and chest was becoming unbearable. The surface  looked out of reach. Oh my God what have I done. Suddenly and instinctively, without thought, I gasped for air. Water from the murky ocean around me rushed in filling my lungs.

I blacked out and died right there, with my feet still firmly planted on the rock. I died! I thought, "this isn't how this is supposed to go". I died, yet in the midst of it all I was fully conscience of everything. Immediately the water level began to drop. As the tide rushed back out my fleshly, carnal body was stripped away and  pulled out to sea.

Freedom like I had never known washed over me as I felt the release of the spirit. I was full of the Spirit of God and the thing that was once of utmost importance to me had just been washed away like an old rag that I was glad to be rid of.

I knew then that the Father had called me to obedience, an obedience like his son, an obedience unto death.

Matthew 20:22 & 23 KJV
  . . . ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am to be baptized with?. . . ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with. . .

Romans 6:1 - 14 NIV
  . . . don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?. . .

Galatians 2:20 NIV
 I have been crucified with Christ . . .

Galatians 5:24 NIV
  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.