Have you ever thought about how Christianity has a shallow end and a deep end? Just like a swimming pool where you can get your feet wet or you can jump on in. I was thinking the other day about how our spiritual walk is like our experience in a swimming pool. Once you become a believer in Jesus, you enter the pool. Some people choose to enter the shallow end first. Others just jump right in on the deep end. This illustration made me think of my walk with Jesus at a young age. I got in the pool and decided to stay in the shallow end. I was in the water, but never experienced the joy of swimming. All I did is get my feet wet and keep them shallowly immersed in the water.
Last night I went to the Casting Crowns concert. The lead singer Mark Hill was talking about how Jesus spends most of his time in the deep end. Meaning Jesus is there to help us swim when we dive into our spiritual walk or are facing trials in our life. He goes to the places and people that need him the most. When we choose to dive on in, we can find comfort in knowing that Jesus is there to help us.
Take a look at Jesus's life and see who he hung around with during his time on earth. Jesus spoke with a prostitute, tax collector, beggars, lepers and every kind of sinner that you can imagine. Jesus knew that the people who needed him the most were most vulnerable in society.
Luke 5:31 NASB “And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.”
Do you find yourself in the deep end?
I tend to think that there are a lot more Christians in the shallow end then most realize. When I was there, I thought that I was doing everything right. I went to Church on Sunday and said my prayers at dinner and before I went to bed at night. Being kind and courteous was even a big part of my life. What I was missing was a relationship with Jesus. I wasn't all in, I was just hanging out on the shallow end of my walk. Jesus was in my life, but he wasn't there that much because I didn't allow him in.
When you go all-in as a Christian, you make Jesus a part of everything in your life. The good, the bad and everything in-between. Instead of hiding our relationship with Jesus, we share it with the world. We become the salt and the light in a dark world. No longer do we mind our own business, but we get into the business of sharing the joy and love of Jesus with everyone.
If you are reading this and you find yourself in the shallow end, it is never too late to swim to the deep end. The deeper our relationship gets, the more we are so richly rewarded by the grace of Jesus. Jumping into the deep end gives us the comfort that we need to face any of life's challenges.
Philippians 4:13 NASB “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”