My grand-kids love to go to the pool. Whenever they come to stay for the weekend, you can bet they are going to chant, "Let's go to the pool", right out of the gate! Last weekend was no exception. The Y is a great place to take the little ones, as it has a "beach" entry where they can walk in as far as they feel comfortable. For my 4 year old grandson, that's not very far. Although he loves the water, he is afraid. No matter how we persuade him, and promise him we will not let him drown, he is fearful. He likes it in his comfort zone, on his terms.
But every time we go, he becomes a little braver. Since I didn't let him drown the last time, he must rationalize, perhaps I wont let him this time. Slowly we are building trust. Last weekend he put his face in the water to reach down and grab a toy. On purpose! When he came up, he was all smiles. He knew Grandma was watching out for him. A little courage, a little faith, brings great rewards.
Something in this experience God used to nudge me a little and get my attention. I understand his fear. Many times in my own life I have been faced with the scariness of plunging my face into unknown waters. I want to stay in the shallow end. I want to stay in my comfort zone where it is familiar. But, God loves me too much to leave me there. He knows I am missing some of the best things. Just like my grandson learning to swim. Staying in the shallow end is not near as much fun as jumping off the diving board, doing somersaults underwater, and feeling the weightlessness of your body floating through the water. If I can understand that I want my grandson to experience that joy, can I grasp that God too, has more grand experiences for me to enjoy?
Jesus tells me to trust him. He is right there beside me, and he wont let me drown when I go face first into new uncharted waters. And interestingly when I exercise my faith and trust him in one area, it becomes easier to trust him in more. He is ever faithful.
It seems crazy to me, that my Grandson would not trust the safety of Grandma's arms. That I would not keep him safe. I do so many things to protect my grandson. I love him dearly. He holds my heart. I would give my life for him. And isn't that exactly what Jesus did for us? He sacrificed his life to save ours. Willingly. And now he walks beside me, he never leaves me. When I am faithful and obedient I can be confident that Jesus will protect me.
When I stay in the shallow end, my comfort zone, I don't grow. Nothing in my life changes. My relationship with God doesn't enlarge. I don't exercise my faith muscles, and I am sinking without even realizing it. God has so much more for me.
When I am tempted to hang out in the shallow end, I will remember my grandson at the pool. I will remember that I will always protect him. I will remember the thrill he experienced at trusting he would be safe and looked out for in the deep end. I will remember the courage that little boy had. And then I will plunge my face into the unfamiliar waters in my own life, trusting that God will protect me in the deep end.