IMG_0030 Click here to watch the current live!
As most of you know who read my blog consistently, I live on a lake. In the summer, I swim every day possible. I swim along the shore, first in the direction against the current. This way, when I have met my distance, swimming back home with the current is easier. If I’m really exhausted from my swim, I can just float back home if need be. While watching the current the other day, I got to thinking, how many of us try to swim against God’s current, making life harder for ourselves. So how do we know which way God is moving? We first need to ask Him, watch, and then jump in and swim with Him.
Ask Which Way
We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God (Romans 8:26b-27). We don’t always know what is God’s will, so we need to ask. Even when we are in a stressful situation, and don’t even have words to express how we feel, and what we should do, The Holy Spirit will interpret for us. God searches our hearts and knows when we sincerely are asking for His will in our lives.
I know I have said this before, but it is so true. When we are praying for God’s will in our lives, we need to also be silent and listen. Sometimes, God uses His own voice to answer us. The Holy Spirit not only intercedes for us in communication with God, but He also works in the opposite direction, letting us know what God is saying to us.
Watch
After we pray to God for His direction in our lives, we need to take some time (unless God gives us a message to move urgently), and watch for confirmation of God’s message to us. Sometimes, when I get ready to go swimming, the current is coming from the south. I go in, change into my swimsuit, come out and lo and behold, the current has changed to coming in from the north. Maybe we thought God was telling us one thing, when in actuality, He was telling us something else. Sometimes, we need to test the waters before we jump in.
It is okay to ask God for confirmation. He will confirm, or not, what His will is for our lives. He wants to support us, and give us a full, joyful life.
Matthew 11:28-30 records Jesus’ words, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” These words are so reassuring to me when life seems too difficult. I know I need to put down my efforts and let Jesus pick them up. I know in my heart that He can do such a better job than me. I just need to keep telling my head that. For me, it’s like when I’m done swimming against the current, and I’ve turned to swim home with the current. The swimming is so much easier and I have the knowledge that I’m on my way home with the water pushing me in the right direction doing most of the work.
Jump In
Once you have confirmation that you are indeed swimming along with God’s current and will, jump in and watch Him work. Swimming with the current is so much fun. You can relax and enjoy the swim without all the effort. Sure, you are still doing the swimming, but it’s enjoyable because you aren’t straining. You can swim along and look at the beautiful surroundings and revel in the swim without a care in the world. Essentially this describes the Christian life. We can journey through life carried along in God’s will, appreciate the work He has given us and not be anxious when the waves get too high. We know God is taking care of our journey so we can relish the people He brings into our lives, and be His servant even when these people may be a bit difficult. God will be our life-jacket when relationships get rough and we need Him to intercede for us. Trust that He will always be your buoyancy.
Honestly, there is nothing more relaxing than floating along in a cool lake when the summer sun is warming you. However, for those who do not know how to swim, floating in water is terifying. When a person is first learning to swim, they may actually shake with fear. They gasp for air and hold on to the person teaching them with hands like vice-grips. It is so exciting when a person learning to swim, relaxes and finally feels comfortable in the water. The same is true for those who do not know our Savior, Jesus. When a person finally gets to know Jesus and relies on Him to guide his/her life. S/he finds the pleasure we experience when going along with God’s current for our lives.
May we all become swim teachers for God’s glory and the pleasure of our friends and neighbors!
