Practice Floating
A key spiritual practice is learning to float with God. It feels counter intuitive. Don’t we want to learn to pray or practice our faith in some active way? Aren’t we called to do good works in the world? How can a responsible Christian float?
In my experience, you cannot be a Christian until you learn to “float”. Let me explain.
When we swim, we move our bodies in a coordinated way so that our whole body is propelled through the water. When we swim, we are in control. We choose the destination and strive to reach it. The strength of our swimming determines how quickly and easily we get there. It is up to us.
When we float, we are at the mercy of the currents within the water. Where we go depends on the water itself.
When we are in the water, floating is counter intuitive. We want to swim or cling. We want to control where we are going and, more importantly, we want to make sure that we can reach the shore. Our fear is that if we don’t swim or cling, we will drown.
What we don’t realize is that, when it comes to our relationship with God, both swimming and clinging are counterproductive.
Clinging keeps us stuck. Often, we cling in the most frightening spots where the water is pounding us making it difficult to breathe. As we cling, we cry out and quickly get exhausted. The rush of the water overwhelms our senses and perspective making it impossible to see that the shore is within reach. Rather than saving us, clinging to the things that seem secure and the things we think we control in life often keep us from grabbing on to what God offers. God can save us from our suffering, but only if we let go. God can save us only if we let go and float.
Swimming isn’t much better. Swimming assumes that it is up to us get where we are going. It further assumes that our destination is where God wants us to go. We swim for God to demonstrate our faith, do good things for God, and show our devotion, but we miss the mark. The truth is that we swim because if don’t swim we fear we will drown.
But what if we won’t drown? What if we float? What if all our floundering and striving for God only splashes water in our face and makes us feel like we are drowning when we are not?
What if God is trying to bring us downstream? What if we can’t even imagine where God is leading us?
The only way forward in faith is to trust enough to let go and float.
Most of us won’t stop swimming until we are forced to. When life pounds us with waves until we can’t hold on any longer and we come to God on our knees begging for help. Only then do we surrender and allow God to move us past the waves of life into a peaceful pool or a sandy shore. Once we’ve rested there and caught our breath, we immediately start swimming again, sometimes offering thanks to God for helping us through.
I was such a swimmer, always striving for God. My stroke was a wake-up call. After my stroke, I could no longer strive for God. I could only float with God. Below is a poem I wrote about 5 months after my stroke. As you read it, consider how you engage with God. Are you a swimmer or a floater?
Called through waves
By Linda Bobbitt
Awakened,
the heartbeat of 100 Billion Stars echoes in my mind
– a hymn of praise stirs my heart.
I rise,
Drawn by light and your gentle call
- I gaze west, into your moonshine eyes
I stare,
Your love pierces my heart,
- I’m struck still, in awe
--- I see you, I love you---
Pulled in,
Your love draws me like the tide
- enfolding me, drowning me
Afraid,
Desperate to save myself,
- I try to swim, … I flail
Clinging,
To anything firm, waves sting my eyes
- Water fills mouth, I sink
--- I see you, I love you, Lord save me! ---
Exhausted,
I surrender to the waves
- and discover,… I float!
In wonder,
I’m drawn over the waves, toward you
- Your promises hold me
--- I see you, I love you, I’m coming ---
Every breath, each intention
All my thoughts, all my being
All my hope, wonder and work
I offer
In response to your love
--- I see you, I love you, I dedicate my life to you---
