Lifeguards

It is the middle of winter. Only visitors from Gauteng would want to go down to the beach and wet their toes in the sea.

At first the beach seemed deserted.

First I saw the children. Ten or twelve of them swimming in the cold water. Then I saw the lifeguards. They were fully dressed and no doubt hoping that they would not be called upon to dive into the waves to rescue anybody. But they were there.

A lifeguard is not the same as a swimming teacher. A swimming teacher is somebody who enters into an agreement with her students or their parents to teach them to swim. In the beginning she goes into the water with them, supports them and then gradually teaches them how to swim without her help. The Lord is often like our swimming teacher. He comes alongside us and helps us learn new things. We have entered into a covenant with Him and we do our best to listen to His instructions and try to do things His way.

A lifeguard has no relationship with the person he rescues. He sees somebody in trouble trying to attract his attention, and goes out to save them. Sometimes God acts like a lifeguard. Many people who have no relationship with Him will pray when they are in trouble. God always responds.

Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy. (Psalm 31:21-22 NIV)

God knows exactly what we need in the various stages of our life and walk. He will not give us a swimming teacher when we need a lifeguard nor a lifeguard when we need a swimming teacher.

My Prayer

Father God, You know exactly what I need today. I trust You with my current circumstances, knowing You can be all in all to me. Amen.