Jumping In The Deep End

When I was just 12 years old I went to my very first church camp. I loved it, I had never done anything like this before and I was ready to show everyone how grown up I was. We had moved around a lot as children and didn't have the opportunities as other kids in many activities.

My mother was worried about me because she knew I had not learned to swim yet. I proudly told her I knew how and that I would be safe. Trust me, I don't know what ever made me think I could swim. The most water action we ever got was going to the beach and letting the waves knock us around.

My third day there I was ready to take the dive. Yep, that's right, I was ready to jump off the deep end. Now, up until this point I had stayed in the swallow end just splashing and swimming around touching the bottom.

As I walked over to the deep end I watched as the lifeguard kept her eyes on me. When she thought I was looking at her she would turn away. I stood on the edge thinking about how I was going to jump in. It was then that I realized that I just needed to do it or I was never going to. I knew how to do this, and I trusted that. Well, I guess you know how the story turns out because I'm here today.

While trying to figure out what to do next I realized I was sinking. My eyes fully under water I could see the lifeguard from above. I struggled and then suddenly I KNEW that I needed to relax. I quieted myself and just allowed my body to float. The lifeguard at this time is standing up and ready to plunge in after me. But she stood her ground as she watched my little head come to the surface. Once my head was above surface I stayed there as I practiced keeping my head and body up, wading water to relax, and taking deep breathes praying that no body would come near me.

Every since that day my life has been different on many, many levels. I would have to say that I am a person that is willing to jump in there and learn as I go, or learn as I keep my head above the surface. There is a certain amount of excitement that makes it all worth while. I figure I always have my lifeguard around me somewhere.

I also realize the opportunities that can be missed when we allow fear to paralyze us in not jumping. Now of course I would never jump off a building without protective gear, and I would never jump out of a plane without a parachute. So there are risk that we take that are within healthy boundaries. But for the person that is unable to make a simple decision on their own, or take a risk on the simplest things.....well those are the folks that stand on the edge of the deep end and never enjoy what it's like to just jump in, figure out who they are, and see the sunlight from a different perspective.

That day I saw the sun differently, I heard the voices yelling more clearly, and felt the splashes more intensely. That day I woke up and lived life. I jumped into the deep waters of life and told God that I could do this. With all my energy and life I showed God that I could and that through this action more energy came into my being. I truly believe that the more we show God that we are WILLING to do something, the more energy, knowledge and passion He provides us to do whatever it is.

Enjoy your day and remember that your jump could be just as easy as getting off the sofa today.