When you take swimming lessons, one of the first things you’re taught is how to float — usually on your back. It’s as much a test of breathing as it is body movement, because when you inhale and fill your lungs with air, your body becomes buoyant and lifts to the surface. As long as you maintain that air in your chest you will easily remain afloat.
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But, of course, you can’t hold your breath forever. Eventually you will have to exhale and blow the air out. The instant you do this, you will begin to sink. The air in your lungs is your lifeline, your only means of physical survival.
Spiritual survival
The same is true of your spiritual survival.
In order to stay afloat amidst the stormy waves of life, you will need to fill your soul with the love of Jesus Christ. You need to inhale His word, and do your best to keep it in your heart throughout all the ocean tides of your journey.
Yet we are only human.
Temptation is always trying to entice you to relax your guard. The moment you allow the influence of Jesus to escape, you will start to sink into the depths of sin. That happens to all of us at some point. The only way back up is to return to the Lord and His path for your life. Fortunately, His oxygen is always there waiting for you to breathe in.
The analogy is backed up several times in Scripture, beginning in Genesis, where God “breathed life into the nostrils” of Adam (Gen. 2:7). Job stated, “The breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4). In the Psalms we find it written, “You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust, You send forth Your Spirit and they are created” (Ps. 104:29).
The key to floating on your back is to relax and breathe deeply and easily. The key to a joyful life, and an eternal reward, is to fill your heart with the living water of Jesus. He will always be your flotation device.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Ken Lass is a retired Birmingham television news and sports anchor and an award-winning columnist for numerous publications and websites.
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