There is something about the very beginning of an adventure or exciting moment. It is the time where you don’t think about the consequences, the fear, or the pain…
You just go.
You let go of any thought that could possibly cripple you and you run into the open space of the unknown in freedom and excitement. You want to experience something new. You want the exiting rush, the next big thing. It’s that moment when the Spirit of God calls you to do something you know you can’t possibly do. It’s that first moment when your fears haven’t quite met you yet, and your adrenaline kicks in with only feelings of running into the mystery headfirst.
I ran into the ocean that day filled with anticipation, excitement, and wander. I ran in ready to take on the waves that went far over my head while trying to balance on a surfboard for the very first time. Hands off the break, eyes looking ahead, and fear far behind me to where it couldn’t be seen.
There is something about doing something new. There is something about taking a risk and leaving no room for over thinking and worrying. There is something about trying in the midst of impossibility.
The biggest wave I had ever seen in my entire life was up ahead of me. I saw it as beautiful yet terrifying all at the same time. I dove into it only to be swept away faster than I could realize what was happening. The wave had come in so strong that as it was being pulled back into the ocean, it was taking me with it.
I looked around and noticed there was no one left in the water but my teammate Lupita and I.
There is always 3 seconds of convincing yourself not to get scared, but after those 3 seconds if your situation doesn’t begin to get better you begin to panic. Your mind always starts with trying to convince itself that it’s not time to panic yet, and maybe you are better off than you think.
Those 3 seconds were gone.
I began to panic, and as I looked up at Lupita I realized she was beginning to panic as well.
The wave had us wrapped up completely and was taking us out into the ocean. I knew you weren’t supposed to fight it, I knew you were supposed to swim sideways and not straight on from the current. I knew that if I kept fighting and fighting I would eventually grow weary and sink under the water.
So as I was being swept away… I put my foot down.
I pressed in.
As I dragged my tippy toes along the bottom of the ocean my foot got caught in a rock. I felt my foot sinking deeper and deeper in the sand in front of the rock and it was the only thing keeping me from being completely taken away by the undertow. I looked over at Lupita and to my amazement she was staying in one spot as well as the waves began to pull us harder and harder.
We both began to scream as our laughing turned into cries for help. Our instructor grabbed his board and began running out to rescue us. Lupita and I pressed in harder and the undertow let up enough to where we were able to grab each other’s hand.
We began to swim.
Then we began to walk.
As we walked out of the water hand in hand I asked her how she managed to stay in that one spot for so long.
She had found a rock and her foot got caught on it.
She pressed in.
Right as we were growing weary we didn’t let go, we didn’t fight the current… We pressed in and I know we are alive and well because of it.
We often times hear the quote “let go and let God” and I will say I love that meaning to give God control, but too often we use that quote as an excuse to give up.
When situations get hard we decide to just sit where we are and hope God rescues us from it. When we are deep in the valley we often times just try to survive and count down the days until God pulls us out. We tell ourselves “this is just a season” and so we live life in a survival mode… and this is no way to live.
If you choose to live in fear and never get in the water… you will miss out on great adventure and God sized moments.
If you choose to fight the current you will get exhausted. It’s too strong and it’s not for you to fight.
But if you give up you will be swept away.
When hard times come the only way to fight the undertow is to press in. Press in hard.
Press in to the situation and press in to The Rock. He didn’t call you into the water for you to be swept away and He didn’t call you into the water for you to grow weary trying to fight. He called you for love, He called you for adventure and He called you to press in to Him because He is what will keep you grounded, safe, and secure.
Don’t exhaust yourself, don’t give up, press in.
Easier said than done, right?
What does it look like?
It’s faith.
Like the surf instructor running to my rescue… it’s knowing help is on the way when you are caught up in a wave that is far over your head.
Like Lupita grabbing my hand… It’s leaning on God placed community and the people He surrounds us with.
And like the rock that caught my foot… it’s knowing that every time, every single time God has promised to never let us sweep out past His grasp.
Things get scary, things get hard, and things can easily overwhelm us… but though I was far out in the ocean I wasn’t too far out of His grasp and I know I never will be.
The next day I went out again and I rode my very first wave. I stood up on the board, balanced myself, and accomplished the one thing I have always wanted to try. When I rode on that wave… I soared over the valley. I took fear by the horns. And I learned what an abundant life looks like.
It’s not fighting.
It’s not letting go.
It’s pressing in.
When situations arise and you feel like you cant do it anymore KNOW help is on the way, LEAN on to the community around you, and PRESS in to the rock knowing you are safe and you cannot be moved.
This is abundant life. This is the life prepared for you.
The undertow isn’t stronger than the rock.
Don’t just rest in that… live by it.
