Swimming is a favored summer pastime of many, particularly in Southern Indiana where the humidity would make anyone crave a little water. A few years ago I spent the day poolside with my family. My sister and I raced each other to the ladder. She beat me and immediately jumped head first into the pool, and I found myself standing on the ledge…
For 5 whole minutes I stood on that ledge contemplating the best mode of entry into the water as my sister continually counted “1 for the money, 2 for the show, 3 to get ready, and 4 to go!” As I stood there I realized two things: 1. The water was going to be cold. 2. I could either ease into the water a little at a time or I could dive in. Which choice did I make?
I’ll tell you that in a minute because finding myself there on the ledge, contemplating that decision led to a series of thoughts…
I remembered that when I was a little girl there was not even a moment’s hesitation as to which way I would enter the water. I always dove in without the slightest regard to how cold the water might be, how deep the pool was, or what unknown creatures might be lurking beneath the lake’s surface. I remembered too watching the adults make their way into the water, dipping in first one foot and then the other. Frustration would fairly ooze out of me as I watched them ease one body part at a time into the water with at least 5 minutes of adjustment time between each submersion. As if this were not enough, I recall that once finally in the water there were always “those” who didn’t want to get their hair wet. Vivid in my mind is the declaration that I made to myself that that would never be me. You can imagine my dismay when I realized, standing there on the ledge, that I had officially become one of “them.”…
On to my next thought…
It occurred to me that just as I could determine whether or not to dip or to dive into the water, so too could I decide how to pursue my relationship with the Lord.
Dip:
I could slowly and cautiously lower my body into the water. I could determine if and when each part went under. I could keep my hair dry. I could do the same thing with God. The choice is mine as to which areas of my life I allow God’s presence to permeate into. I can refuse to allow parts of my life to be touched by Him, and I can pull back areas that I “dipped” into His love if I begin to get uncomfortable. Just as certain parts of the body have difficulty adjusting to the water, so do certain parts of my life resist Him. It is far easier to merely allow God access into whatever areas of my life I deem appropriate, rather than to submerge myself in a relationship with Him. By dipping into a relationship with God whenever and however I choose, I maintain the ability to pull out whenever He gets too close. Just as I choose to keep the sensitive parts out of the water, I choose to keep the dark and dirty parts of my life just as they are because that’s easier than acknowledging my wrongs and making them right. When I refuse to let God “get my hair wet”, I set a boundary that I refuse to let Him go beyond. By dipping into my faith, I never completely experience the fullness of God’s grace. By denying the Lord access to certain areas of my life, I never get to know the healing power of His love.
Dive In:
There is a certain rush that comes with diving into water, and there is an absolute high that comes with being submerged in God’s love. I can immerse every area of my life in God’s grace, allowing Him to wash away all that is dirty and to refresh all that is tired of hiding. I can dive into a relationship with my God and discover who He is and who I am because of Him. How deep can I go into God? As far as I am willing to dive. Are things always just right? No, but all things happen for a reason. What’s beneath the surface? Dive in and find out. Water is not always clear and neither is life. We can stand on the edge and wonder what’s beyond or we can dive in and see.
What will you do, dip or dive?
…So there I was, standing on the ledge of the pool, contemplating a mundane action and thinking profound thoughts. What did I do?
“Count one more time, sis…” You can guess what happened next.
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Take His word for it:
Matthew , -25 , Romans , 5:3-5 , 1 Corinthians
Colossians 1:21-23, 2:6-7 ,Hebrews James 4:7-8
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