Remember when you were a kid just learning how to swim? One of the first things they taught us is to float on the water. As I remember, it was a very hard thing to do.
First you had to trust that the water would actually hold you. Second; to float well, you needed to hold still, kicking your feet, our dropping your butt would sink you in an instant. The third thing you had to do was to put your head all the way back, with your chin up. Talk about vulnerable! When the waves would come it seemed I would always get water in my face and that scared me, and I would pick up my head and sink. Arrrggg!! Before we can float we need to hold still, lay your head back, and trust that the water will hold you up. What an awesome picture of our faith in God.
First we need hold still. We struggle so much in our lives. We need to stop struggling for control, stop struggling to make sense, stop struggling to drag others into our pain, into our circle so we can blame them, and hold somebody else accountable. Learning to stop the struggle and just hold still is a huge part of faith.
Second, we need to put out head back and our chin up. Sure we are going to get some water in the face, it can be hard to see, and we feel very vulnerable. But if we picture ourselves resting in our Fathers arms, remembering He is for us not against us, realizing that we are safe in His arms, how relaxing could floating be?
Which leads into the next thing that happens when we learn to float, the water will simply take us where it wants to. We are not providing direction, swimming, or struggling, we are just floating. If the water had a will, it could take us wherever it wanted us to go.
Of course the Spirit is often called water, and Jesus calls himself the Living Water. When we rest and relax, when we stop trying to control, blame and accept what’s in our circle, God will carry us. The current that is His love will move our body, our spirit and our mind into a very good place. A place of peace, and rest and calm. A place filled with hope, love, and mercy. A place of healing, and restoration. That is the heart of our Father, that is the heart of God, the heart of Jesus. That we would trust them, and relax. Stop struggling, and allow the current to carry us.
This day, or maybe this week, when you feel the tension rise, the fear grip you, the water start to splash into your face, just stop and picture the lake, see yourself floating, and picture the water holding you up, and carrying you away from your troubles, and stress and know that God has your back, and you are safe in his arms. And if by chance it works, come back by and share your story, how God helped you.
If needed, picture Jesus standing next to you in the water with His arms under your back, teaching you to float, teaching you to trust, being there for you when you get scared and struggle. Whispering. His voice calm and soothing, comforting you. What an awesome picture of love and care and concern. It’s the Fathers heart, for you. Rest in that, and know He is God
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Seeking God's Heart 