Monday, August 1, 2011

Divin' In

Summer time seems to often bring about some kind of water related enjoyment. As the temperatures rise, many of us are looking for a place to “dive in!” The children run through sprinklers, or squirt each other with water guns — if they can’t find a pool to head off to.

Mine will take a two mile hike behind our house — just to get to the creek! The lakes are full of people with boats — sometimes to fish — sometimes to race — sometimes to ski — and sometimes to dive off from and take a swim.

When my two older sons were young, we were visiting with some friends. They were blessed with a pool in their back yard, and offered to allow our family some time to have fun together. So, off went Dad and his two little boys . . . Mom was content to “watch and wait!” Into the toddler “floaty thing” went our youngest — and just as quick it flipped him over and was holding him under the water. Before Dad could get him rescued, our oldest son, who was still quite young himself saw his brother in trouble and dove right in the water to help him. However, since he was only learning to swim, this only compounded the problem. Now instead of one boy in trouble there were two! Using all the skill he possessed, God mercifully allowed my husband to rescue both boys.

We too have a “Rescuer” — a Savior who comes to our help. It’s like we are swimming in contaminated water — drowning in the awfulness of our sin. Jesus hears our pitiful cry for help — sees the desperateness of our situation and knows, HE IS the remedy! Lifting us up He rescues us — giving us the water of Himself — the water of life.

Now, we can “dive in” without getting hurt! “Dive in” to the fathomless ocean of His love. His water is pure — without contamination or chemicals. “Dive in” to the miraculous richness of His grace. It’s been provided for us! Swim around in the beautiful waters of His healing for our “woundedness.” Dive in! Get in way over your head — these are “waters you won’t drown in!”

Our Lord wants to take us deeper than we’ve ever gone before. Teach us new discoveries in Him . . . Show us more of His miracles . . . Strengthen our faith. When the “faith waters” are over our heads, we learn to trust Him more — and we know again the beautiful joy of resting in Him.

This summer — dive in to more than the nearest lake, river, or pool — dive into God’s Word — dive into Christ. What kind of new places will He take us — before the seasons change again? Take the challenge! Dive in!

By: Janene A. Dubbeld



Take it with You

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Colossians 3:1-2

No comments: