Have you ever envisioned what it may be like to drown? Our bodies experience both physical and emotional reactions to drowning. Physically, the body begins to flail and accumulates carbon dioxide, forcing the ingestion of water into the body. The throat begins to spasm sealing off the path of the lungs, and inducing a state of unconsciousness. Emotionally, our brains subdue to feelings of panic and hopelessness.
Isn’t that a crazy phenomenon? The body wants to fight it, wants to save itself, but it is literally incapable and the only way for it to end is to succumb to the water that continues to force itself into the body. At training camp, I was drowned… by the consuming, unfailing, everlasting love of God.
I went to training camp less than excited. I have felt spiritually dry for months now and my attitude for going to camp was to meet my squad, learn about the race and get it over with. But, it was one of the most spiritually challenging, eye opening experiences I have had thus far in my life. The concept that overwhelmed me most was how much God longs to consume me. I have been holding on to a lot of past failures and regret but God is not concerned with that, He wants me to live for Him now and has so much in store for my life that holding onto my past regrets only allows the devil to have a foothold in my life. I was so concerned with “fixing” myself that I missed God’s grace. I began to pray that God would fill me once again… and of course He did. I imagined myself having to let go of the regret I was holding onto in order for this to happen, but instead God completely demolished the things taking hold of my life. I learned it’s not about my strength to let go, but God’s consuming love for me.
So I may not have physically drowned, but God came and completely consumed by body. I had no other choice than to panic, flail my body, take a breath and let God flow into my being. And when I relaxed and God came in, my spirit began to be filled with life once again. I was reminded of things I am passionate about and how much I long to change the world by bringing Jesus to people and fill them with the hope that only God brings. Now, I don’t know what God has in store for me over this next year, but I do know that God will continue to drown me in His love. He is the Author and is asking me to be a part of His purposeful, intentional plan for this world.
This week, challenge yourself. Consider drowning in God’s love as opposed to sinking in past regret and decisions, for His grace is abundant to overcome all.
Megan
