Get in the Water

I stood timidly near the pool, watching the action from a safe distance. Body to body, people of all sizes jumped, splashed, yelled, and laughed.  The moving water formed peaks and valleys, continuously reforming around the spontaneous movement of the people. 

 

I looked over to the shallow end.  Same body-bumping play, just smaller people.

I wanted to join in the fun, really I did! I even stuck my toe in once, but it barely made a ripple. 

I called out to the swimmers to make room for me, but no one heard me. They were all having too much fun.  The noise itself was overwhelming and intimidating.

“Get in the water.”

“But where, Lord? It seems every spot is taken. Can’t I just watch for a while longer?”

“I’ve called you to swim. What is stopping you?”

“So many people – I may get hurt. Isn’t there a less crowded, safer place where I can swim?”

“Don’t you like to swim?”

“Of course I like to swim!  But can’t I choose the pool, the time, and who is in the water with me?”

“Get in the water here. It’s time.”

I knew the Lord wasn’t going to change His mind.  So I weighed my options. 

If I jump in, I’ll get bumped. I’ll get bruised. At times I’ll get pushed under. Or worse, I’ll just be ignored.

I stepped back.

But oh, the fun I’ll have swimming just for the pure joy of it!  Splashing, playing, and making waves. And I know my Father will be watching me and enjoying my joy, even if no one else notices.

I stepped forward.

But I want people to notice.  I want them to like me, to choose me for their games, to splash and laugh with me.

Pause.

You see, the Lord has called me to write; to share what He shows me during our sweet times together. He’s gifted me with a passion to communicate:  to proclaim His truth, to encourage others. It’s so amazing to receive a fresh revelation of His truth, often in the form of an analogy or allegory, and then be able to paint a picture with words. Sharing what I receive with others and seeing how the Lord blesses them through my words is humbling and amazing.

But there are already so many books and blogs out there – really good ones! What if no one likes what I write?  What if no one wants to buy my books, or read my blog? What’s the point in writing if no one likes what I write?

The point is that I’m a writer. It’s who He created me to be. He fills me to overflowing and delights in my words spilling out onto the page. I sense His great joy and pleasure when I write, and when others are blessed with the words He’s given me. 

And it’s OK that I enjoy others’ appreciation and positive comments about my writing. 

But I must always guard against their response becoming my motivation.

I must always write for my Audience of One…simply because He created me to write. Staying safely on the sidelines is not an option any longer.

And you know what?  As I read back over what I just wrote, suddenly it hit me: I’m swimming!

Today’s Challenge:  What God-given passion are you holding back?  If you get in the water, what’s the worst thing that could happen? If you don’t get in the water, what will you be missing?