Treading Water

Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (NIV)

I took a course in underwater diving, and, yes, I did get my C card, and I am a certified diver. I didn't think I could do it. I started the course in a community pool. I was the eldest of the class, which contained several in the seventeen-year-old bracket.

The first thing demanded of us was to swim the length of the pool eighteen times. Using the only stroke I knew, the sidestroke, I managed about fifteen laps before they blew the whistle and called me out of the pool. Yes, I was the only one left, but I was determined to complete my laps no matter what.

The next thing was to go into the pool and tread water. This was an activity that, I learned, could save the strength needed to regain composure and add the stability to carry on. Treading water is something we all need to learn to do properly, not only in the physical manner, but also in our spiritual life.

There are times when we need to stop and "tread water", to gain the strength we may unexpectedly be called upon to use later. We never know what the Lord might demand of us. Life is not all as we plan. Sometimes, just when we think we have life all figured out, we are led into a crisis. Periodically "treading water", using little energy, resting in our spiritual being, and renewing our strength are necessary for us to go forward in His plan.

However, we also need to learn when to stop "treading water" and begin to move on. Some could tread water all their lives and never move on, but it is meant to be a resting time to renew our spiritual life to be ready for God's calling to the unexpected.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to maintain our strength by taking time to rest and restore our soul, that we might be ready when we are called upon to do Your will in our lives. Give us strength to endure, rest to renew, and determination to carry on in the Spirit You have given to us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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