Today’s Post Written By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
Each summer our family spends quite a bit of time in the water. Thankfully, I learned to swim many years ago. At first, my mom’s proposition to attend swim lessons resulted in numerous tears and pleadings. I wanted to know how to swim like my big brother and sister, but learning from a perfect stranger terrified me. Like a good mom, she discerned what was best for me and signed me up for swim lessons regardless of my protests.
Memories of my swim coach are alive and well in my mind to this day. He was mean! At least that was my five year old perception of him because he made me do things in the water that I was afraid to do.
The day of our last swim lesson, the coach instructed us to swim the width of the pool all by ourselves…. IN THE DEEP END! The coach threw us into the water, despite our kicking and screaming. We didn’t have a lot of choices in the matter… it was sink or swim! Thankfully, I chose to swim.
Keep in mind that we only had to swim the width of the pool; but somewhere along the way I became disoriented and ended up swimming the entire length of the pool. When I came up out of the water I was completely shocked to see where I had landed. What a boost to my confidence!
My little swim lesson became a life lesson.
“The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” (Psalm 145:13b-14)
Similar scenarios have played out in my life over and over again. I might become angry, scared, or frustrated when God calls me to carry out something that I don’t feel capable doing. I might grumble, complain, or even try and talk my way out of it, but eventually, God throws me in the deep end and I have a choice. Sink or swim.
“The LORD will fulfill his purposes for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands.” (Psalm 138:8)
We are often surprised by the end results when God moves us away from our comfort zone. Before we know it, our fears have been conquered and we have accomplished more than we ever thought possible.
God uses opportunities such as these to grow and strengthen our faith. What we are powerless to accomplish on our own, we are more than able to conquer through Him who loves us. God continues to stretch us beyond our comfort zone because He wants us to have deep water faith.
“Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” (Psalm 89:8)
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)
