"The earth" is a metaphor for "man". And in that sense, whereas the earth is "part land" and "part water", man is likewise "part flesh" (land) and "part spirit" (water). With that being said, when it comes to the earth's seven land masses, it is widely agreed that all that is land has been thoroughly chartered and explored by man. In continuation then, the phenomenon of man exploring every last mile of available land, right up to the very ends of the earth, represents the insatiable appetite of unregenerated man to pursue and find his pleasure and meaning in the things of the flesh and of the world. In as much as man lives on and abides within every continental land mass, so too does unregenerate man likewise live in and know the length and depth and breadth and height of the things of the flesh and the world too.

     On the other hand, it is at the same time widely agreed that the earth is between 60 to 70% water. Just like man himself is about 60% water too. And unlike the land, much of the earth's waters remain completely unexplored and unfathomed. Being representative of water, like the oceans, the spirit remains for the most part likewise mostly unseen. And in the same way, the things of the spirit remain on the whole also largely unknown. When it comes to knowing the things of the spirit, God says, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' - JEREMIAH 33:3.

     When it comes to the spirit being invisible, man has not stepped up to his true calling. Which is to make that which is invisible visible. Which is to bring that which is spirit to the forefront so that when we both live AND walk in the Spirit (GALATIANS 5:25), not only do our neighbours see God, but God Himself sees His own image in us too. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - EPHESIANS 2:10.

     In this respect, when it comes to the earth being a metaphor for man, the earth's composition of land and seas is deliberately symbolic and purposefully didactic. The earth is made up of seven continents and five oceans. Seven represents completion. Man has been wonderfully and perfectly made (PSALM 139:14). In representing the spirit, five oceans represents the five-fold ministry of the spirit of man (EPHESIANS 4:11).

      The earth's physical characteristics are defined qualitatively and quantitatively in and by "time, space, and matter". Firstly, the earth's ratio of water to land lets us know that when compared with the flesh, the spirit of man is foremost, pre-eminent and prominent. In every measurable dimension. Leading off from this, man's depth comes from his spirit. And equally so does his quality of substance. And just as water is that which sustains all of life on earth, so too is man's spirit that which sustains all of life in man. In as much as life on earth cannot survive without water, man cannot live without the spirit. It's no coincidence that whilst every mile of land has been explored, when man seeks rest, he more often than not goes to the ocean. For it is when we are in the Spirit that we find our peace and rest.

     Secondly, when it comes to TIME, we are to be more "in the spirit" than we are to ever be "in the flesh". The quality of spending time in the spirit is portrayed by the example of Jesus and Peter walking on the Sea of Galilee. When it comes to spending time "in the spirit", we are likewise to get out of the boat (out of the flesh) and onto the water (into the spirit). Like Peter, we are to get out onto the water, and to "keep our eyes on the Lord", who is Spirit. You cannot keep your eyes on what is spirit unless you are in the spirit yourself. Jesus tells us that "if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25). Yet for most of mankind, just as with the earth's seas, the spirit life remains foreign to and largely unexplored for many. In fact, for unregenerate man, it is quite simply foreign to step out of the flesh (the boat) onto the water.

     Thirdly, land is effectively dry in nature. It is, for all intents and purposes, nothing more than dust. In the same way, without the Water of Life, the dust of man cannot become clay. It cannot become something useful in the Potter's hands. It cannot turn into MATTER from which man can be transformed into a vessel of honour and glory. Nothing good can come from dust alone. Man without God is dust. But add water, and it becomes a field for seed time and harvest. The Spirit is like water. "But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (JOHN 4:14). It is the breath of His Spirit (water) that gave life to the dust we are. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (GENESIS 2:7).

     So it is "spirit" that gives and produces life. It is Spirit that IS life. Whilst we hold on to the notion that what the world offers is life and meaning, we remain as dust, lifeless and dry, and empty of purpose and meaning. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things He shall add unto you." (MATTHEW 6:33). The LORD adds life, and then everything that pertains to life and living is then added unto us - love, truth, joy, peace, wisdom, identity, meaning, fruitfulness. The parallel scripture to MATTHEW 6:33 is this, “He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honour.” (PROVERBS 21:21). Our lives only express honour when they find life and righteousness. Our purpose is to glorify our Father, which is to honour our Father, which is to find life and righteousness - that is, to BE like Christ. ““Honour your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”” (EPHESIANS 6:2-3)

     And we dishonour our Father when we falter before the wicked. When we choose the world over life, when we choose wickedness over righteousness. We dishonour our Father when we lack integrity. God says that he who has no integrity is "Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked." (PROVERBS 25:26). Like a fish out of water is he who is a son of God who then cleaves himself unto the world.

     Lastly, the LORD doesn't say BE "fishers of men" without reason. "Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”" (MATTHEW 4:19). We need to get man into that water, into the spirit life, and keep him there. And once he is in the water, let him not become muddy water. For it is there that he will find honour, and it is in that place (in the spirit) that he will glorify the Father. For this is His calling on all of man, “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me.” (PSALM 42:7)

- To God be all the glory, forever and ever, amen and amen.
- GOD's richest blessings, Wayne Biehn