"Deep is not being able to touch the bottom."

Standing waist-deep in that freezing Austrian lake, surrounded by the confused stares of sensible people who stayed on dry land, I was reminded of something profound about faith. The difference between being slightly out of your depth and swimming in water so deep you can't see the bottom isn't actually that great—but it changes everything about how you approach the water.

The Deep End Misconceptions

We often get deep faith completely wrong. Some of us think it's about accumulating spiritual knowledge like trophies—knowing every Bible verse, winning theological debates, or understanding complex doctrines that require a degree to grasp. Others fear that going deeper means becoming weird, losing themselves, or pretending they don't have doubts.

Both perspectives miss the mark entirely.

Deep faith isn't found in what you know. Deep faith is found in who you know.

The Lake Encounter That Changes Everything

In Luke 5, we see Jesus teaching by the Lake of Gennesaret. The crowds are pressing in, eager to hear the word of God. This looks like deep faith—listening to Jesus teach profound truths. But Luke doesn't even record what Jesus said that day. Instead, he focuses on what happened next.

Jesus gets into Simon's boat and asks him to push out into deep water. Then comes the request that makes no sense: "Let down your nets for a catch."

Simon's response reveals everything: "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

The Anatomy of Deep Faith

That phrase—"because you say so, I will"—is the DNA of deep faith. It's not about understanding everything or having all the answers. It's about trusting Jesus enough to act when His invitation doesn't make complete sense.

Deep faith requires:

Trust when you don't understand it all. Simon was the professional fisherman. He knew this wasn't the right time or place to fish. But he trusted Jesus over his own expertise.

Action when it doesn't make sense. Faith isn't just an intellectual exercise—it's embodied. It shows up in how we live, not just what we believe.

Obedience that goes beyond logic. Sometimes following Jesus means doing things that others would call the wrong time, wrong place, or just plain illogical.

From Pit Stop to Race Track

Think of Sunday morning worship, small groups, and personal Bible study as the pit stops in a racing driver's career. They're essential—you can't win without them. But they're not the race itself.

The tragedy happens when we think the pit stop is the race. When we measure spiritual maturity by how much we know rather than how much that knowledge transforms how we live.

Deep is not information; it's application.

For most of us, deep isn't about knowing more—it's about doing more with what we know.

What Deep Faith Looks Like Today

Deep faith asks the question daily: If Jesus lived my life, how would He live it?

This shows up in surprisingly practical ways:

• Having that conversation you've been avoiding because you know Jesus values truth and reconciliation over comfort
• Starting to give when your budget says you can't afford it because you know Jesus' heart for generosity
• Serving somewhere that stretches you because you know Jesus came not to be served but to serve
• Forgiving someone who doesn't deserve it because you know Jesus' character and what He's done for you
• Speaking up about your faith when it feels risky because you know Jesus' heart for the lost

Deep faith is found on Monday morning in your office, not just Sunday morning in the sanctuary. It's discovered in staying faithful when marriage gets hard, in parenting with grace when your kids push your buttons, in choosing integrity when nobody else is watching.

The Thrill and Terror of Deep Water

When Simon finally saw who Jesus really was, his response was both worship and fear: "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" Deep faith is thrilling and terrifying at the same time—just like swimming in water so deep you can't see the bottom.

But here's what Simon discovered: Jesus doesn't want us to go away. He wants us to follow. And when we do—when we leave the safety of the shallow end and trust Him in the deep waters—we discover catches beyond our wildest imagination.

Your Next Step Into Deep Water

So what is Jesus saying to you today? What step is He asking you to take that doesn't quite make sense? What area of your life is He calling you to trust Him with, even though you can't touch the bottom?

Deep faith doesn't start with a giant leap—it starts with the next step. It starts with saying what Simon said: "Because you say so, I will."

The water might be cold. Others might think you're crazy. You might not be able to see the bottom.

But Jesus is in the boat with you, and He knows these waters better than anyone.

What's your next step into the deep?