Into the Deep End

This December, I went to the Florida Keys and booked an excursion that took us about 30 minutes out into the open ocean. The purpose of the trip was to snorkel and see a famous underwater statue known as Christ of the Abyss.

For those unfamiliar, the statue is located in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park off Key Largo. It’s a bronze depiction of Jesus with His hands raised, resting about 25 feet below the surface. It’s a popular spot for scuba divers and snorkelers, surrounded by rays, turtles, and colorful reef fish. Just seeing it is unforgettable.

I’ll be honest. I had never snorkeled that far out in the ocean before, and I was a little scared. Still, the adventurer in me was wide awake. I put on my wetsuit, flippers, life jacket, and mask, walked to the edge of the boat, and thought to myself, “Man...why am I a little scared?”

And then I jumped.

The moment I hit the water, adrenaline kicked in. The waves were much bigger than I expected, and I got hit in the face a few times just trying to get my bearings. I didn’t know exactly where the statue was underwater. I just knew I had to dive in headfirst, start kicking, and trust that I’d find it.

And then there it was.

A beautiful depiction of Jesus beneath the surface, hands raised, resting quietly about 25 feet below the waves. I dove down as close as I could, wanting to really take it in.

As I floated back up for air, a familiar Bible story came to mind.

Peter stepping out of the boat.

“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.” - Matthew 14:29–31

Peter didn’t wait for calm waters.
He didn’t wait until the storm passed.
He stepped out while the wind was still loud and the waves were still rough.

In that moment in the ocean, I realized how often faith works the same way.

We live in a big, unpredictable world. Sometimes we don’t know where God is going to show up. Life takes us under the waves. It gets hard to breathe, fear creeps in, and you might even get a cramp in your foot like I did (don’t worry, I made it back to the boat in time).

But Jesus is there with us in the deep end.

Scripture reminds us that the deep waters are not a sign of abandonment:

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” - Isaiah 43:2

Jesus sees you in the struggle. He meets you in the uncertainty. And He waits for you to take a leap of faith into the promises He has for you.

If I had never jumped out of that boat, I would have missed seeing that powerful image of Christ beneath the surface. In the same way, when we live with fear in our hearts, we risk missing the things God has waiting for us on the other side of obedience.

So let this be your encouragement:

Do life a little scared.
Take the leap of faith into the deep end.
Jesus will meet you there.

And it just might be an unforgettable experience.

Reflection Questions for the Week

1. Where in my life am I standing at the edge of the boat, hesitant to step out in faith?
2. What fear might God be asking me to trust Him with instead of letting it hold me back?
3. What would it look like for me to take one small leap of faith this week, even if I feel unsure?

Image Credit: ©Matt Hardy/Unsplash

Joe Navarro, known online as @joechristianguy, is a Christian content creator, entrepreneur, and cultural voice passionate about making faith approachable and impactful for the next generation. With over 4.5 million combined followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Joe delivers bold, Gospel-centered truth through a mix of daily encouragement, short-form teachings, comedic skits, and authentic life experiences. His unique blend of theology, humor, and clarity has created space for millions of young believers and skeptics alike to engage with Scripture and real conversations about following Jesus in a digital world. In 2023, he co-created the popular card game Discernment alongside Jacob and Julia Petersen, which is now available in major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Museum of the Bible, and Mardel. He also holds a degree in Agricultural Economics with a minor in Sales from Texas A&M.