Swimming Safely

When you go swimming, and you dive deep down into the water, it feels so good. But suddenly your chest feels tight, so you swim up for air. Only, you misjudge the distance. You’re deeper than you thought you were. There’s one foot from you and the surface that you weren’t expecting.

Sometimes life can be like that. We know that we’ve gone a little far but we’re not scared – everything feels good and cool right now. But soon you realize you need to get back on solid ground. Only, you’ve fallen deeper than you expected and you can’t quite reach the surface in time to save yourself.

It’s a scary feeling.

The truth is, one of these days, you’re bound to get that feeling. You’re bound to get that sinking feeling, like you’re going lower and lower and can’t stop. Because right now it’s ok. But what about tomorrow? Maybe you’ll drown in your sin. Maybe what’s holding you down from really living is not going to go easily now that it’s consumed you.

And suddenly you feel scared. You know it’s time to get out, but it’s so hard. It’s too much of a challenge. You’ve gone too far.

When you’re just about to give up, a strong hand reaches down. You grasp it and you’re pulled up to safety. The Lifeguard says you need to be more careful.

"I’m sorry," you say. "I won’t do it again. I promise."

The Lifeguard smiles sadly. "While I’d love for you to be more careful, you will do it again. You’re human. But remember that I’ll always be there to save you. Don’t let anything get in between you and Me, ok? Don’t let anything drag you down. Swim safely."

There's Nothing You Can Do

Let’s say you’ve been saving your money for four long years to buy a car. You’ve been working so hard but you still don’t have enough money. It seems like nothing you do will get you that car. Then your Dad surprises you with your very own car – one way cooler than you could ever have gotten on your own. You don’t have to pay a penny for it! You feel gratitude toward your Dad for giving you something so precious.

That’s how it is with God. Until you become a Christian, you are searching for a place in this world. You are searching for purpose. But no matter how hard you try, you could never get it. But God offers us purpose through salvation (eternal life!). He gives it as a gift. You can’t do anything to earn it. You can’t be proud of yourself because you couldn’t ever deserve it. Yet God loved you enough to give you this gift, a gift way cooler than any you’ll ever receive. Instead of being proud of yourself, you are proud to be part of God’s family!

In Romans 4:16a, God tells us, "So people receive God’s promise by having faith. This happens so the promise can be a free gift."

What do you do with a gift?

You believe it, accept it, embrace it.

Emma Accepts Christ

Emma, from The Next Generation is Us and Emj's Life is here to give us a peek into her life for the next few weeks. Bits of the interview will be posted on One Voice and Girls for God.

"How old were you when you became a Christian?"
"I accepted Christ when I was about 6, but I didn't really start understanding what living for God meant until very recently. He's been revealing to me that being a Christian is more than just reading your Bible and praying, you have to lose your life." - Emma

How old were you when you became a Christian? When did you finally find your identity in God? Share your story in the comments.

Wondering what Emma's secret is to being beautiful inside and out?