Reef Ministries – Explore the Underwater World as God’s Handiwork

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Ready to go deeper - literally and spiritually? Take your faith below the surface to explore the underwater world as God's handiwork. Reef Ministries helps you make scuba diving, freediving, snorkeling, or visiting an aquarium a WORSHIPFUL experience.

Featured image above: Copyright by Hannah Cox. Used by permission.

My name is Tec Clark and I have been blessed to be a professional scuba instructor and diving industry leader since 1988. But in 2007 I became a true believer in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and it became apparent to me that there was a reason why people feel closer to God underwater. There is something about the beauty, colors, patterns, diversity, tranquility and designs that make us incredibly aware of our Creator, God.

WHAT TO DO

You’ve probably heard the statistic: 71% of the earth’s surface is covered by water. That means the space where you and I live our daily lives is in that remaining 29% of the dry land. So, if you want to do outdoors, away from the masses of humanity, in a totally different and relatively less explored part of the planet to see what the rest of God’s creation looks like, then exploring the underwater world – especially oceans is what to do.

To get beyond the shore line you can take a paddle board, kayak, jet ski, motor boat even a cruise ship*. But guess what? A lot of the time all you really need to do is simply start walking, then pull your goggles over your eyes and stick your head under the water to see God’s handiwork. His submerged creation is all around.

*Motorized crafts contribute to water pollution that have a negative impact on ocean life including the reefs. That makes it even more important for all of us to be good stewards of our waters and participate in water care initiatives.

Here’s a tip: Silence your mind and your interactions with others, resist the urge to take pictures or do something “fun” … stop all of it and instead let the amazing underwater creation of God become the place where God’s Spirit can minister to you.

We all need to hear the muted sound of quietness. We need to feel the friction of the water that makes both our bodies and spirit buoyant. We need to simply float, be moved by something greater than us and encounter the wonder that helps us feel closer to God underwater than anywhere else on earth.

WHERE CAN I DO THIS?

Just about everywhere in oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and more you can discover all kinds of water life. The really colorful stuff? You’ll want to eventually get use your map and travel to one of the top 10 coral reefs in the world:

Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Palau, Micronesia
Belize Barrier Reef, Belize
Red Sea Coral Reef, Egypt and Sudan
Maldives Coral Reef
Tubbataha Reef, Philippines
Barrier Reef of New Caledonia
Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Mesoamerican Reef

These incredible outdoor and underwater locations may not be as easy as getting to Disney World. But that being said, guess what?! Maybe it’s time to forego the hustle of the Florida amusement park scene and go a little further south in the Sunshine State to John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo.

*Copyright Florida State Parks, Used by permission*.

It’s just 47 miles/76 kilometers, about an hour and a half from the Miami International Airport. Yep, an extended weekend gives you all-access to God’s underwater handiwork – probably for less money than watching the Little Mermaid animatronics sing, Under The Sea.

“STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED” FOR UNDERWATER WORSHIP

Not going scuba diving, snorkeling or freediving tomorrow? Good, because that gives you time to study everything in the God’s Underwater World online course. It's produced by Tec Clark and includes 9 chapters:

Corals
Fishes and Vertebrates
Invertebrates
Shells and Mollusks
Marine Mammals
Sharks
The Bible and Science
Environmental Stewardship
How to Make Your Time Underwater Worshipful

Take a look at this introductory video to learn more about the God’s Underwater World online course.:

GET WET, TAKE A FRIEND, WORSHIP AND THEN LIVE OUT YOUR FAITH THROUGH CARE

Hey, it’s awesome that you want to explore the underwater world. What's even more awesome is that God wants you to go even deeper.

Once you’ve decided where and when you’re going to go then invite one or more friends to go with you. God has designed us for community – to fellowship and be a positive part in the lives and experiences of others.

Before you go underwater prepare for it to be worship. Take some time to pray together. Talk about how getting outdoors has gotten you closer to God already and what that might look like underwater. Afterwords, take time to discuss your experiences, share photos and even journal your experiences (and certainly consider sharing your photos and journaling with Shout! OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE).

Finally, don’t stop there. Check out the ministries and organizations below to explore how you can serve alongside others and care for God’s handiwork.

Post a comment and tell us what reef, marine and water resources you have found that put Christ at the center of stewarding and caring for these places and biomes.