As many of you know I grew up in the Virgin Islands, St. Croix to be exact. We had to learn how to swim to graduate from School. I got certified in lifesaving but not as a lifeguard as I did not want to save two people in the ocean (for the test) and could barely manage one (for lifesaving)
So living on an island there is a beach at all corners. So you could find beaches with no one on them. Having said that…one Saturday the Aim worker and myself head to the beach. There was Joann and I and a party of two ladies and a little girl about 200 yards down. Ever the eagle eye and fresh from learning all of my lifesaving techniques I spot that one lady is bobbing up and down and is in the deeper water and is really thrashing.
My adrenaline gave me the power of 10 race horses as I sped over to help her. I said to the other lady- it’s okay- my name is Cylinda and I am a lifesaver. I am here to help her. I swam into the deep water and grabbed the lady and tried to haul her in. She began hitting me and splashing and continued to go under. I thought they told me this would happen- this is when I need to knock her out and just bring her to shore. I finally got my hand under her chin and started swimming with her and she shoved me off and said …what is your problem lady? (now let me input this is not the response I was expecting) I said problem? I am saving you. She said I don’t need saving I lost the top to my swimsuit and I am diving down trying to get it. That is the only thing around here that needs saving.
I was a long walk back to our towels and stuff. I now felt sluggish as my adrenaline glands had emptied their whole years supply in five minutes. I couldn’t believe I had missed the first step. Evaluate the situation and see if they really do need help ?
I thought of this in the context of my Christian Life. I have many friends saved and not saved that ask me questions, or my viewpoint, and really don’t want to hear the answer. Many of my friends are not “saved” but only splash and need assistance when there is a need that requires extra prayer, or they can’t find a verse in the Bible for their child’s homework assignment.
But soon and very soon there will come a person in my life that I will be instrumental in leading to the living water. The water that will satisfy their thirst, their needs, their desires. I will put my lifesaving skills to the test – and HE will triumph.
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