By: Jennifer Waddle
When I was in elementary school, swimming was part of our physical education class. The problem was, I was terrified of the water. While other kids were jumping off the diving board and splashing in the deep end, I spent most of my time clinging to the side of the pool where I felt safe. It wasn’t until the swim coach taught me how to use different strokes, that little by little, I moved beyond the boundaries of my safety zone. With steady guidance and repeated practice, I eventually learned how to move through the water with strength and ease.
For some, supporting God’s purpose in this world, including His covenant relationship with Israel, can feel like swimming against the current. Amidst the resistance and hostility, it’s not always easy or comfortable. There are moments when convictions are tested and it feels safer to stay along the edge. But faith rarely grows in shallow waters.
Deeper faith requires deeper trust. Trust that the Lord is able to keep us afloat when the current is strong. Like Peter, who bravely stepped out of the boat when Jesus called him, but began to sink when distracted by the waves, so it is with our faith we walk today.
We’re distracted by cultural tides such as:
Opinions that speak louder than truth
Busyness that replaces time with God and family
Self-centeredness instead of Christ-centeredness
Yet even in the pull of these temptations, we are not without help. Like Peter who urgently prayed for the Lord to save him, the Scripture says Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught him (Matthew 14:31).
In our mission to go deeper into the work God has called us to do, we are not alone. The Lord Himself is our “Swim Coach.” He leads us out of shallow waters into the depths of His love, truth, and grace. He patiently instructs us, refining every stroke of faith, enabling us to tread deep waters without fear. And in turn, we offer life preservers of hope to our Jewish brothers and sisters who are navigating turbulent waters of their own.
The Lord who teaches us to let go of safety and venture into the deep, is the same God who upholds His covenant relationship with Israel. His faithfulness does not shift with time, culture, or circumstance. What He has spoken, He will fulfill. What He has promised, He will do.
So, let’s go deeper, my friends. By faith, let’s release our fearful grip and confidently swim into the current of God’s divine and holy purpose.
