Ordinary Time
To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim, you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do, you will sink and drown. Instead, you relax and float.
Alan Watts, The Essence Of Alan Watts
But now, says the Lord—the one who created you, Jacob, the one who formed you, Israel: Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when through the rivers, they won’t sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you won’t be scorched and flame won’t burn you.
Isaiah 43:1-2
In your mind, go back to when you were learning to swim. Maybe the water is scary to you, or you only get in with a life jacket. There’s this moment of uncertainty the first time you lower yourself into the water. Or if you’re introducing a baby to the water with floaties on them, as soon as they feel the grip around them loosen, they panic. How are we supposed to trust that this contraption will keep us afloat?
The second verse of our scripture is a strong assurance that though we may pass through trials and chaos, God is always with us. While it sounds lovely, I feel myself flinching as if jumping into the water that first time. I think, “Ok, but are you sure?” It’s helpful to look at the first verse when God says, “Yes, I’m sure. I’ve got you…” In verse one of our text, we are reminded who God is as the one who created, formed, redeemed, and called us by name. This is the God who invites us to float, assuring us that we will never be alone.
Sara Hunt-Felke
Question to Ponder:
If your “floaty” is made up of the truths of who God is, then what is written on your floaty that may help you trust and float?
God, I want to float in your promise, but it is scary. What if I slip? What if it’s just too deep? Help me to hear you call me by name and trust that you will not let me go.
Amen.
When peace like a river attendeth my way;
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”
Horatio G. Spafford, “It is Well with My Soul”