Deep and Wide

“Deep and Wide, Deep and Wide, there’s a fountain flowing deep & wide.”

Most churchgoers have heard this song growing up in church and going to Sunday School. This song is specifically speaking to the fountain of God’s love.
Recently I have been applying this particular truth “Deep and Wide” to my conversations with people in all arenas, but especially within the church. I am very much turned away from a conversation with a person whose body language and verbal response don’t match up whenever I ask the question, “How are you?”

Such a simple question, yet it can have a negative, neutral, or positive impact on the trajectory of the conversation, leading you to either build a stronger relationship or to have a shallow acquaintance.

So let’s start on the first word “DEEP” The easiest ways to add depth in a conversation is to respond with authenticity. In Christ we are all sinners saved by grace, so why do we feel the need to hide or guard how we truly feel? We guard because we don’t trust one another. And guess what relationships are built on? That’s right: trust.
There is more to the depth part but let’s take a dip into the width part. And let’s take it back to the song.  God ‘s love doesn’t stop at our relationships at church, the width of God’s love encompasses all areas of our life. Therefore when asked “How are you?”  the conversation should reflect on how, what, and where God is currently working in our hearts. And not just at Church.

How are you___________________?

…at work

…with your kids

…with your spouse

…with your neighbor

…in your quiet time

…with your anxiety

Now you fill in the blank in your next conversation. And think about how authentically you will respond the next time someone asks you this question. And not only on Sunday morning.

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

            Ephesians 3:17-18