In Kyrgyzstan, we were given the awesome opportunity to teach English to college students that I am now proud to call my friends. And to celebrate the end of an amazing month together, we decided to take a weekend trip to the beach at lake Issyk-Kul. Lake Issy-Kul is the 10th largest lake in the world by volume and the second largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea. It means “warm lake” in the Kyrgyz language and it never freezes.
We arrived there early afternoon on Friday and headed straight to the beach. As we were hanging out, someone suggested that we should experience the thrill of a banana boat ride. A couple of students walked over to inquire of the price. Once they came back with a good quote, we decided to go for it. Yes I was really nervous because I don’t know how to swim but I was not about to miss out on what was going to be my first fun water activity ever.
As we are waiting for our turn, I overheard somebody say the driver will thoroughly enjoy dropping us in the ocean a few times. Thinking that I heard wrong, I asked one of the students if that was true with the most concerned look on my face. He reassured me: “No. No. No. You will be fine. He won’t do that!” And I believed him.
Our turn finally came and the minute all five of us got on the boat, student K who was riding with us told me: “Listen. When the driver does his sharp turn make sure you let go and fall in the water. If you try to hold on, you might break a limb. And he’s going to drop us three times. So get ready!” I was shocked and thought: “You’re kidding me right?!?! Your friend LIED to me! I should not have gotten on this thing but it is too late now.” I had no choice but to stay on the boat: we were already too far away from the shore for me to swim back. Wait…what am saying? I can’t swim!
Before I knew it, the driver was taking his first turn and we all flew off the boat into the water. We resurfaced quickly. Nathan and K were screaming with excitement and joy. Our friend Marie was chilling. Dyer was laughing. As for me, I was panicking and I needed someone to hold me so that I don’t drown. I frantically was extending out my arms to K (he was the first person I saw when I came back up) screaming out to him multiple times: “Hold me. Hold me. Hold me!” Nathan swam over to help me but I elbowed him in the face by accident (so sorry again Nathan). I did not even realize that I did in the moment because all I could think about was that I needed to hold on to someone so that I can stay above water. It never dawned on me that the life jacket that I was wearing was already doing the job that I needed/wanted a human being to do for me; which was keeping me afloat.
After they dropped us off the third and last time and we are coming out of the water.
Similarly, it never dawned me that God is the very same life jacket keeping floating above waters when I get thrown into an ocean. I decided to talk to God about it a few weeks later. I had sadly realized that I say I trust Him but my actions doesn’t necessarily prove it to be completely true. Especially this past month in Kyrgyzstan. I told Him that I do want to work on it with all three of them: Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Him. Namely the Holy Spirit though because I usually feel like most if not all of His promptings/orders makes me look like a total fool too many times. It is not always fun to follow them when “nothing” happens. Thus why I frantically extend my arms to other things/ humans instead of trusting that the Trinity does have my back and would never let me “drown.” I should learn to believe that things do happen in the spiritual realm when I trust and obey.
“So dear Dad,
I know this has been an ongoing talk between you and I for a hot minute now. But once again, here is to us taking it one day a time on this one. For I know better than not to try and work on this with you. I love you!
Signed,
Work In Progress”
You’re awesome for reading. Thanxies so much!!!
