Jump!

Swimming has always been one of my very favorite things to do. Because of this, it has been my absolute joy to teach many children how to be safe around water and to learn to swim.

For every parent, the goal in learning to swim is for their child to be able to jump off the diving board. There is a certain peace parents feel in knowing their child can successfully swim where they cannot touch.

This, however, is not every child's goal. I have had many students through the years swim confidently in the shallow end of the pool. They can swim from one side to other while never needing to stop or touch the bottom. They can float on their backs, flip to their belly and back to their backs all while floating. They have proven themselves capable of the deep end. Moving to the deep end is the logical and necessary next step for their advancement.

From the instructor and parent viewpoint, they are ready. From the student's viewpoint, nothing could be further from the truth.

A move to "where they can't touch" is a loss of control to the learning swimmer. Their automatic assumption is that they will sink, that they will literally be "in over their head". They do not understand they will swim on top of the water regardless of how deep the water appears.

Their physical capabilities have developed, but their mental ability has not. They are judging circumstances by what they have previously known, by what feels secure, and by where they are comfortable. They are clinging to a false confidence by staying where they can touch based on incomplete thinking.

It is not uncommon for a new swimmer to place themselves in danger by trying to protect themselves. They will jump towards the wall from the diving board or cling too closely to the edge when they are jumping in. They have placed their security in the wrong things.

Stepping out in faith to God's next step for you can feel a lot like you are learning to swim in the deep end. Our tendency is to want to stay with what is familiar, what we understand. Change feels scary. The unknown is looming. The perceived obstacles seem impossible to overcome. Sadly, it is all too easy to forget who God is and to think what we see is all there is.

Here is your encouragement for today: if God is calling you to the deep end, do it! Jump! It doesn't have to make sense to you. More than likely, it won't. That is why is called faith. If the Holy Spirit is leading you out of your comfort zone, let him! God WILL supply all you need.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:1-3)

The Deep End!