July 31 Prayer

At age 50, I never learned or had an interest in learning how to swim; I am actually afraid of submerging in water.

I’ve had the pleasure of seeing and feeling the warmth of many bodies of water across the country but only through dipping my feet in shallow water. Most of my adult life echoes this-seeing the beauty of God’s creations but never exploring the depths of them.

The Bible refers to water over 700 times, more than the words faith, hope, prayer, and worship.

It often uses the word water as a symbol of purification, salvation, deliverance, faith, baptism, and overcoming enemies. Just as we need water for our physical needs, we need the Holy Spirit, “the living water” for our spiritual needs.

Before starting on my spiritual journey years ago, I was drowning in my own works of the flesh. I operated outside of the will of God, taking credit for my accomplishments, controlling people and things with my demands and expectations, worrying, obsessive planning, judgment, guilt, and holding on to resentments and unforgiveness. I depended on MYSELF as my own lifeguard even when I was drowning mentally in a world of depression and anxiety.

In 2016, I’d reached the bottom of the “pool” and because I could not swim, I was anchored to the bottomless pit of despair. I’d somehow find a “buoy” to get up every day, put on a “happy face”, excel, achieve, help others, accomplish, and put on the façade that I was doing great.

However, as the waters began to rise more and more, I started losing grip of my buoy-my old self was slipping away from me. I didn’t drown but instead, I began floating. By loosening my own grip, I allowed God to step in and save me from myself. He waited patiently for me to draw close and call out to Him.

He never abandoned ship.

He promised to never forsake us generations ago and he has stood firm in that promise for thousands of years.

Since 2016, I have gained a proper perspective on “the living water”.

God knows our struggles and stands ready to rescue us when we make the decision to let him be our anchor; our foundation; our buoy. This anchor grants us freedom from our selfishness, freedom from control, freedom from disappointment, freedom from fear, freedom from hopelessness, and freedom from works of the flesh. I now see water as a sign of sanctification, cleansing, beauty, transformation, rebirth, renewal, and holiness. It no longer causes me fear. It’s refreshing and it’s thirst-quenching! The Holy Spirit, that “living water”, resides inside of you and guides, provides, directs, comforts, and keeps us mentally healthy just as the water you consume keeps you physically healthy and alive. It’s all necessities! 

Now, when will you make the decision to “Let go of your physical buoy and Let God”? There’s clear water and clear skies ahead when you do!