When I was younger, my mom put me in swim lessons, which I absolutely hated. I didn't like being around water. Truth is, the thought of it terrified me. My swim instructor was like a drill sergeant. She wouldn't let me give up if I was afraid. She didn't make things easy. Of course, my lessons began in the shallow end of the pool where I learned how to doggy paddle, float, and tread water. Then slowly, my instructor pushed me out into deeper water. I balked when I realized my feet could no longer touch the bottom of the pool. I wanted to stay in the shallow end where I felt safe. I came to dread my weekly swim lessons, but mom made me keep going until eventually, I learned how to swim.
Getting in deep water is not easy. It's not safe or comfortable. It takes a lot of effort to learn how to swim and to get out of the shallow end. If I never had someone pushing me to do it, I would've never learned how to swim. However, I had to face my fears and push past them. I learned how to swim and for the most part, I'm not afraid of water anymore. I am still a little afraid when my feet can't touch the bottom. It's a scary feeling when you don't have solid footing. Maybe some of you feel like you're being pushed out into deep water. The shallow end is calling your name, but God has asked you to step out in faith. You did it, but now you're looking back at the shallow end. Afraid. You can't see the bottom. Maybe you're drowning in deep water. You can't seem to stay above water so you sink to the bottom-hopeless, despair taking over. Then out of nowhere, a hand reaches down and pulls you back up to the surface. You find the strength to start treading water again. Isn't that just like God?
Sometimes He doesn't allow us the comfort and ease of playing around in the shallow end. You might feel like you're drowning in deep water, but all you need to do is swim with the Savior. He's right beside you. You might not like what He's trying to teach you, but eventually, you will learn how to swim in deep water. It won't be as scary after you've done it a time or two. You'll learn how to trust Him. You'll learn that you don't have to be afraid. Let's think of it like this: The shallow end is for shallow Christians (those who believe Jesus but don't have a personal relationship with Him). Deep water is for seasoned Christians. Those who believe and have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior and have dedicated their lives to Him. Those who have felt pain and keep swimming. Those who have endured loss, yet keep swimming. Those who have battled depression and keep swimming. Swimming in deep water will not be easy, but you won't be alone. If God calls you there, He will stay with you even when you feel like you are being pulled under. You don't have to sink in deep water.
Peter, one of Jesus' followers, is a great example. He saw Jesus walking on water, stepped out of the boat, and decided to join Him. The moment Peter took his eyes off Jesus is the same moment he lost his footing. He realized he was in deep water and that he couldn't touch bottom. He recognized the dangers present and immediately began to sink. Except Peter wasn't in danger because Jesus was there, walking on the water with him. Jesus never asked Peter to do it alone. It was Peter who decided to take his eyes off Jesus. Even though Peter doubted he could swim in deep water, Jesus didn't allow him to drown. He reached out His hand to Peter and pulled him back up. Jesus didn't allow that one experience to define Peter. Just because you sink a few times doesn't mean God won't save you. He is always asking you to move into deeper water. To get to know Him better and to be more like Him. The choice is yours, but He won't ask you to do it alone.
Deep water might look differently for each of us. Right now, there may be one common thread-whether you claim to be a Christian or not. Having faith during COVID-19 means you are swimming in deep water. Hear me out. We are living in the middle of a pandemic. Believing God right now is like learning how to swim all over again. If you've been playing around in the shallow end, God is calling you out into deeper water. Let's take the opportunity of being "stuck at home" and turn it into something positive. Our lives have become so busy that we have forgotten the priority: Jesus Christ at the center. Perhaps this is a test for all of us. Are we going to keep swimming in the shallow end or will we take that step of faith and go out into deep water? Will we allow Jesus to remake us? It's not going to be easy. It won't be comfortable. We will have to face our fears head on. I remember when I first jumped off the diving board. I plummeted to the bottom of the pool, my breath taken away, afraid I couldn't make it back up to the top. I was about as deep in that water as I could possibly get. But I didn't stay there. I was able to resurface because of everything I had learned about swimming. Whether you are slowly inching away from the shallow end, treading water, or diving right in to the depths, God is calling us all to deeper water. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of a shallow Christian experience. I want to go all in because I know I am not alone.