Not Born to Drown

I had a prophetic conversation once by a river on a bench. It was hot that summer night, but nothing compared to the blond sitting next to me. The woman was doing everything she could to scare me away and yet the more she spoke the more drawn in I became. She knew who she was in a way I’d never experienced before. I didn’t have a clue, but she made me want to figure it out.

We talked about life and what we wanted it to be. She was confident; I was confused. Whatever would come to pass I couldn’t imagine it without her in it. Love at first sight. Something like that. We made ultimatums to live outside of anyone’s box. To prove my love, I dropped out of college just before my senior year and re-enrolled in another two states away. Young and dumb? Probably. Would I do it again? No doubt about it. I’m a man of action. Decide what you want. Actions are always a reflection of what you truly want. It’s not just about the decision, it’s about pushing through the friction so that you and I aren’t drowned by the immediate, mundane, and safe.

 It’s been 14 years and 3 kids later since my bride and I had that conversation. We’ve mostly stayed true to our commitment, and the result has been a wild ride. But that’s where life is found. It’s not about a career or geographic location but about an openness to God and to people. All people! All it takes is having a closed fist around any one thing and the box starts to build. He has everything or He has nothing. Obedience isn’t about acceptance. Legalism and lawlessness are both centered on self. God woos us to obedience because it’s where life is found. Do we trust His design for life is better than our own? Despite my failures, I wholeheartedly do.

We continue to tear down the box as it forms. We weren’t born to drown. Sometimes it means a drastic reset other times it means connecting with my neighbor when the world says we should remain divided. The world doesn’t know much about what it means to live. Life is found in relationship. God first; people second. God always calls us to go big, sometimes it’s coaching little league, other times it’s cashing out. When’s the last time we did something a bit illogical or irrational. John Locke or Jesus? Regardless, it’s not what God needs to happen through us but what He desires to happen in us.

I don’t know what’s in store for this next chapter, but I still have my beautiful bride by my side, and we’re committed to this crazy ride called life. We weren’t born to drown. Drown by comfort, pleasure, entertainment, prominence, career. All can be great but cling to just one and true life starts passing us by. The good news is that it’s available to us all; any day, anywhere. The question is, what do we really want?