Getting Comfortable in the Deep End

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!  Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. 

“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.” (Hebrews 5:11-6:1-3 NIV)

When a child is first learning to swim, her parents take her into the shallow end of the pool with floaties on her arms.  As she becomes more comfortable in the water, the floaties are removed and she learns to swim in the shallow end of the pool.  As she gains confidence and ability, mom and dad let her venture into the deep end.  It will usually take some time, but eventually she will become comfortable swimming in the deep end.

Maturing in our spiritual lives is a lot like learning to swim.  The goal is learning the deeper things of God and being comfortable there.  We all start out learning the basics—God loves us; Jesus died for our sins; we can only be saved through accepting Jesus as our Savior and Lord; we need to leave our lifestyles of sin and live in ways honoring to the Lord. These are the basics, the shallow end of the spiritual life.  But our goal should be to get comfortable in the deep end.  There we find the deeper understandings of God’s Word, a deeper intimacy with Him through prayer, the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) emanating from our lives, and a life that is transformed from the inside out to look more and more like Jesus.

There are some kids who are content with staying in the shallow end of the pool, but most want to get rid of the floaties, learn how to swim, and start playing in the deep end.  How is it that so many of us after we are born again become content to stay in the shallow end with our spiritual floaties on?  God never intended it to be that way.  He wants us to get to the deep end and enjoy being there.  

The goal of every Christian is to be spiritual growth.  Babies are destined to grow up and become adults.  Anything less than that we view as a tragedy.  It is no different in the spiritual realm.  We are to grow and mature spiritually.  

Today, ask the Lord to help you learn how to get to the deep end of the spiritual life and be comfortable there.  

© Jim Musser 2014