Have you ever reached a point where you felt that you were all out of hope? Maybe you realized that you were headed in a downward spiral, so you tried swimming out of those emotions and thoughts. However, you quickly realized that, though putting forth much effort, you were only swimming in circles. Maybe this sinking was because you lacked hope for someone else or yourself. When we lose hope in someone or something, our own hope begins to deplete and we can sense waves rising up around us. In these times, we can try so hard to muster up our strength and say, “I’m coming to You, God!” but until we realize our dependence on Him we will get nowhere at all.Imagine your life is like swimming across the ocean. It’s unknown, unpredictable, and the only way across is to swim. We all know that life throws many challenges and curveballs our way much like the ocean can, and for you and your swim across it, it will. Out of nowhere, you find yourself caught in a whirlpool spiraling downward. No matter how hard you try you can’t stop from swimming in circles. Helpless, you call out to God, “God, I thought you would not tempt me beyond my ability, there is no way of escape!”  (1 Corinthians 10:13). But as nothing happens, you hopelessly sink deeper. Finally, in your last moment of desperation, you admit your weakness and you call to God for rescue, “Lord, I need You!”. To your surprise, as you take a sigh of relief, the waters calm.

However, as you regain yourself, you realize you’ve lost direction with nothing but water in sight. Did God really save you from one area of desperation only to put you in another? I’m sure the Israelites felt this way coming out of Egypt into the desert (Exodus 14:12). Once again you call out for God to rescue you, but this time His response is, “no”. You are confused, the sun sets and darkness surrounds you. It is now, however, in this darkness, that you realize the hope He provided. Something new is seen in the distance, periodically flashing- a Lighthouse. You asked for a lifeboat, but God gave a Lighthouse.

It’s going to be often that we find ourselves in areas of desperation in this life. John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble.” That’s a guarantee. We will take hits in life- hard hits- but just like a victorious boxer after he wins a fight, we will not be focused on those hits because we will have won the fight!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33 NIV

So, swim to the light! There is still more work to be done- more discipline to be exercised- but there is hope in the end. By hope I mean victory! You can choose to say that the distance is not worth it or that the unknown is too great a risk, but that means you will sink where you’re at. What do you have to lose? Choose to have this hope (Jesus) as an anchor for your soul (Hebrews 6:19) and continue swimming today. If you do, you will be able to look at these whirlpools (trials) in life with joy because of how it’s allowed you  to experience God’s power. Depend on Him and swim towards His hope that He holds for you. Call out for deliverance, and if He gives you a lighthouse… SWIM!

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4 NIV

L.I.F.E. – – – Live Intently For Eternity

Life is not about living for ourselves, it is about living, earnestly, in light of what He did for us.