I went snorkeling recently.

I’ll admit that I was a little hesitant at first, just because of the fact that I was about to go into the ocean, where potential treachery and otherwise dangerous creatures awaited me. However, to say I absolutely loved it was an understatement. I adored seeing all of those fish, and it blew my mind that what I normally saw behind a pane of glass at an aquarium was suddenly at arms-reach.

It was amazing to see such a wide variety of fish in an array of colors. I remember having a discussion with one of my friends who had gone snorkeling with me about those fish, and she said, “God must have had fun making these!”

So, I wound up thinking…what can we as Christians learn, whether we’re looking at something as small as one fish or as great as the oceans?

God’s creation is far more vast than we probably realize.

I’m from a small town in Tennessee. I’m not surrounded by ocean, but there’s still all kinds of stuff to see, from different birds, to the different trees that vary even from yard to yard in my neighborhood – whether they were state trees or just the trees that line the neighborhood entrance – to the various rolling hills and quiet creeks near where I live.

My point here is that while it’s amazing to see tropical fish or wildlife we’ve never seen before, it’s also just as important to value God’s creation that’s immediately around you. Although this world is not our home, it’s important that we value the earth He made and that we give Him the credit and praise for it (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Even when things are treacherous, we should look to God for safety.

The ocean is filled with coursing currents that flow in various directions. The second time I went snorkeling, I could actually see the rush of the current as it carried sand past the coral near the shoreline.  Strong currents, alongside the possible threat of nastier sea creatures, can pose a real threat to those just looking to see a few brightly colored fish.

Just like the ocean, life is filled with treacherous unknowns. While it’s okay and normal to be unsure and afraid of those unknowns, we can’t let unease and fear keep us from laying our cares on God (1 John 4:18; 1 Peter 5:7). This is something Jesus was trying to get across to Peter as He beckoned for him to join Him atop stormy seas (Matthew 14:22-33). Though we aren’t perfect, we can still look to Him and anchor our hope in Him (Hebrews 6:19-20).

Finally, we should embrace how deep His love is for us.

The thing about the ocean is that it is vast, nearly unfathomable. It seems like there’s always something new to discover, whether it’s wreckage or the fish that God created that we haven’t seen yet.

Here’s the coolest part: God’s love is even bigger than the oceans, deeper than their depths, and farther than we can see or imagine.

“We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). And as such, we should show that love to others. While we’re human, and while we can’t even begin to match the love He has for us, we can at least obey His gospel and follow His will for our lives, serving as examples to others along the way.

Sure, the ocean is vast and filled with so many new and unknown things. And, as it turns out, so does life in general in this world. But the thing is that God’s love is greater than any fear or uncertainty that we have, and He wants us to enjoy a relationship with Him along with the things He made. Our first step is just opening our eyes and thanking Him for it all.

By Savannah Cottrell