First, learn how to float.
Your safety is found being still.
You move us to delight in praising you; for you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.
- Augustine
This past summer, I spent the 4th of July weekend with my family on the lake in North Georgia. Our time was spent mostly outside, going on boat/jet ski rides, walking around, reading, and swimming.
One afternoon, several of us were hanging out, swimming around the dock, and relaxing before getting ready for dinner. In our conversation, one of the girls jokingly mentioned she had never been taught how to swim. Everyone chimed in with their personal experiences learning to swim and shared funny quips on the matter. At this, my cousin informed the group that she is a kids’ swim instructor and could provide some helpful advice for swimming. She began by asking the girl to show her how she would stay afloat. The girl began to tread water, moving her limbs around flippantly with her head bobbing just above the water.
This seemed like a natural response.
However, my cousin commented, “You are in the drowning position.” She then explained that the girl’s method for staying afloat wasn’t the most effective and could actually bring great harm (or death).
Her instinctual method for staying afloat required lots of movement, made it difficult to keep her head above water, and ultimately, was exhausting.
My cousin informed the group that the best thing you can do to remain above water is to get on your back and be still. To float. The girl mimicked the movement, and, turning to her back, she experienced an ease in staying afloat.
The girl’s initial method to stay afloat was to attempt to swim. She began to move without method, expending her energy whilst going nowhere. The drowning position.
When we are thrown into something new or unexpected, we also tend to assume a “drowning position” in an attempt to immediately swim. However, God invites us to first learn to float.
Before my cousin ever teaches kids how to swim, she first teaches them how not to drown. I remember attending swim lessons as a child. Sitting on the edge of the pool, tuning out what my teacher was saying because I was ready to swim. It seemed easy enough, and I was uninterested in learning how to merely float. However, floating is an essential skill for survival, and the same is true in our lives.
When we become hyper-fixated on movement for movement’s sake, we find ourselves in a drowning position. First, we must learn to float.
Yes, you will eventually learn to swim. You will become stronger, faster, and more confident in the water. But you must not forget that floating is where you’ll need to continually return to.
To float is to rest. To float is to breathe. To float is to trust. To float is to be still.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
It feels counterintuitive to be still. The urge to move, to do, to control comes naturally. When we are thrown into something new or our circumstances change suddenly, we often buy the lie that it would be best to hit the ground running.
Do as much as you can. Establish yourself quickly. Make sure it looks like you know what you’re doing. Grasp for control. Build an image. Do something, anything. Flail your limbs around so your head can barely bob above the water. Exhaust yourself pretending you know what you’re doing.
OR
Be still. Rotate to float, putting your back in the water, face towards the sky. Stop moving. Release control. Rest. Take deep breaths. Notice how your body can relax, and your mind can see things rightly when you are still. Learn to move one limb, one stroke at a time. But do not neglect your starting position, the float.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psalms 37:7
When a child first jumps into water, their initial reaction is often panic. Then, they grasp to get back into their parent's or instructor’s arms as quickly as possible.
Our reaction may look the same. Extend grace to yourself if you hit the water and begin to panic. As you resurface after the jump, extend your arms to your Heavenly Father. He’s in the water with you.
Swim instructors don’t teach kids how to float or swim from the edge of the pool. They are in the water with them. Your Shepherd is with you in this. He’s beside you, saying, “Be still. Float. I am with you. I’ll teach you to swim, but first you must learn a disposition of safety in me.”
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 37:23-24
How do we float?
Be still. Remember God is God. In Him, all things hold together. Stop attempting to control the narrative and move on your own. You’re expending precious time and energy. Instead, hit pause and remember God. He is who He says He is. He can be trusted. He is sovereign. Meditate on (fill your mind with) who Scripture says he is. Before making any more moves, sit with the Lord in the quiet. Practically, don’t be hasty with big decisions. Give yourself a minimum threshold of time to spend in prayer and seeking wisdom before you take a big step.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Bring your fears and concerns to Him. Anxiety is a natural human response. It is something we will need to address over and over again as we experience new situations and seasons. When life changes, we constantly encounter new sensations, thoughts, and opportunities to fear. Thankfully, each time anxiety presents itself, the action steps stay the same (Paul said in every situation!). Pray. Petition. (With thanksgiving!) Present your requests. Experience peace. God’s peace is better than understanding. God’s peace will be your guardian in new and unfamiliar waters.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
It’s okay if you don’t know how to swim in this. Your Lord has authority over the waters, rules over your heart, and he’s in it with you. He is inviting you to float first. Rest in God and trust He will teach you how to swim each day as you place your faith in Him.
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matthew 1:23
He’s still God with us.
Your friend,
