The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. We need one another to stay afloat.
One day, I went ‘snorkeling.’ I had my life vest. I had my goggles. No snorkel! But I had my friends and my daughter. I am a novice swimmer. I only dare to swim backstroke in a pool where my feet can touch the floor.
My friend encouraged me: The life vest keeps you afloat. It is very safe. I know it’s a fact. I also believe and trust that I will not sink when I put on the vest. Yet, I was not completely at ease. I fluttered around -flapped my arms trying to steady myself in the water. Why? What I know in my head and believe in my heart, I need to work out in my experience.
‘Just relax. You don’t need to do anything.’ Well, that is simple yet hard to do when I feel inadequate. I did not know how to sit up after facing down to see the beautiful creatures in the reef. My friend told me to hold on to my vest. It worked for her but not for me. “Do whatever that’s comfortable for you.” That is true. Because I know backstroke, I am most comfortable when I turn on my back to sit right up.
Why just goggles? I hyperventilate when I put on the mask that keeps me from breathing through my nose. With the goggles, I control my own breathing. I can hold my breath and get back up when I’m running out of air. The disadvantage is of course, I often had to get up for air. But it’s ok. I get to see many wonderful creatures in the reef. Amazing handiworks of the Creator of heaven and earth!
I am grateful for the hand that towed me along and the arm that was my anchor all through the journey.
This thought brings to mind the value of friends in life’s journey. Even for Christians, and perhaps especially for Christians, we need the face and hands of Christ in fellow Christians to help us go through the rough places. For the weaker ones – the novice, the inexperienced swimmer like me, it is assuring that I have with me tools and gears to keep me afloat. I need not fear because my friends are swimming alongside and will not leave me.
This leads me to the issue of trust. I trust my friends will not let me drown. While trust enables me to go through the experience, my desire to have the experience compels me to trust. Is my fear greater than my desire?
I remember when my youngest was perhaps 7 and we brought her to El Nido, Palawan. It was her first time to be in the sea. When we arrived in the small motor boat, she was literally chattering both from the cold rain and from fear. The next day, we were by the shore where there were fish swimming around. She was afraid. So I asked her: Do you want to see the fish and feed them? She said yes. Then go in the water – your floaters will keep you on the water. She conquered her fear because she really wanted to see the fish.
Do you want to experience the abundant life of Jesus? Then this desire should enable you to let go and trust. Faith is simple yet difficult to do. It is so much more than knowing and believing in some facts or truth. Faith in action means acts of courage. Faith in Jesus calls us to let go of our fears and hold on to His hand to lead the way. Trusting Jesus means to put your hand on His arm as your anchor… an anchor that holds and grips the Solid Rock.
