The Undiscovered (Underwater) Country

Our Creator is wonderfully imaginative. I was overwhelmed with a sense of awe by the majesty of the Architect of our world with the Discovery series Planet Earth several years ago. Although the producers (and commentary) was clearly from an evolutionary bias, I watched the strange and amazing creatures of our planet with an eye toward the intricate design of our wondrously intelligent and creative God.

A new movie by the producers of Planet Earth (and its movie counterpart "Earth") is making its debut April 22, 2010. The movie, Oceans, will explore the amazing marine life that exists in the depths of the oceans of our world. In an exploration of our planet, the oceans are truly an undiscovered country with new life and phenomenon continually being uncovered. According to USA Today, scientists recently discovered "hydrothermal vents" miles below the ocean's surface where life teems in the "warm, mineral-rich fluids" of the volcanic rifts despite extreme underwater pressure.

There are great treasures yet to be discovered in the deep places of our planet. Yet, there are even greater treasures to be found in the "depths" of God. It is upon these "deep places" that we must prioritize our focus.

In the book of Proverbs, "wisdom" for living your life is personified as if it were a person. Wisdom is described this way in Proverbs 8:22-27, "The Lord possessed me [wisdom] at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, before he had made the earth and its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. When he established the heavens, I was there…" (ESV).

Wisdom (personified) was set in place by God even before the depths of the oceans and the treasures that it holds. Much greater are the treasures of a life wisely lived than all the magnificent creatures that swim in the great deep. Too many people today live lives of foolishness and folly. God desire that we live wisely, "And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise and do not neglect it…For whoever finds me [wisdom] finds life and obtains favor from the Lord" (Proverbs 8:32-35).