Lessons from the Swimming Pool

We spend a lot of time swimming at our school's pool. This weekend there was an end-of-swimming lesson family swim. A dad was out in the deep end catching his daughter off the diving board. There's nothing unusual about that. The kids learn to jump to a noodle. This time, the little girl missed it.

Things can happen so fast in the water. Even little kids hit you with a greater force from the diving board than you might expect. It quickly became apparent that they were in trouble.

There was the lifeguard in charge on the deck. She only calmly watched as the young lifeguard on the stand wasted no time. He jumped in and brought them to safety. She seemed totally confident that he would do his job.

There was another man in the pool helping. He was just another Dad, who also happens to be an EMT, swimming with his kids. He did not have the dramatic jump from the high chair of the rescue. But what he did was even more dramatic. He went over, scooped the scared little girl up in his arms and held her. He sat with her next to the dad for a long time.

I've never seen such a dramatic picture of what God the Father, Jesus His son and the Holy Spirit do for us. When we are sinking and overwhelmed, Jesus rescues us. It's hard to ask for help, but when you have no other options there is nothing better than a savior coming to your rescue. You don't need a helper or a friend, you need someone to save you. That's Jesus.

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." Hebrews 1:3

After the rescue though, we aren't just left laying breathless on the edge. The Holy Spirit comes in and comforts us. He wraps his arms around us and walks with us through the recovery.

"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged." John 16:7-11 ESV

God is watching it all. His plan for saving us has been set in motion. He does not have to panic to respond because he knows what is coming.

"He determines the number of stars
and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power,
his understanding has no limit."
Psalm 147:4-5

I'm so thankful for the picture of the watching, rescue and recovery that day. The loving plans of God, the sacrifice of Jesus and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. At the times in my life where I feel like I'm wandering, God has a plan. When I feel like I'm sinking, Jesus saves. When I feel disillusioned and discouraged, the Holy Spirit brings comfort.

I don't want to think about what would have happened that day had the lifeguards and EMT not been there, or had they not cared. The results would have been horrific.

God offers his saving grace and love to all of us. We don't have to navigate the waves of sin, hurt, anger or disappointment alone. Why do we try to?