A Floating Attitude

Suggested Reading: Romans 9

So then it depends not on human will
or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

Romans 9:16

For children it’s almost instinctive, adults less so. Initially, floating on one’s back in the water seems easy and restful. In reality the older we get, the more difficult it becomes. It seems to be a matter of our wariness to trust the supporting nature of water. We analyze the process of floating and before we know it our legs sink. Children, however, unthinkingly trust the buoyancy and enjoy the moment.

Living each day with a floating attitude is a challenge. Consciousness awakening with the dawn, our minds whirling, we begin "analyzing the process"–figuring out how to get the most out of the day, listing our projects, rating our return calls, attacking a problem that "depends" on our ability to solve. Sensing our sinking legs, we begin struggling and lose our floating attitude.

Nothing is dependent solely on us. God didn’t structure our existence to be that independent or self-focused. Instead, He designed us to be able to float, buoyed by His mercy and love, not our effort of will. We begin sinking for lack of trusting the supporting nature of God’s character.

God has an end result in mind for us. Our ability to get there depends on our willingness to trust His buoyancy. By allowing our human will and self-exertion to drown and give ourselves up to the buoyancy of God’s love, we’ll enjoy our float and arrive at our Godly destination, refreshed.

Thought for the Day: Why is it difficult to trust the bouyancy of God's love?

Jesus, what You ask of me is my trust.
Instead I try to figure everything out on my own.
Help me to learn how to float, truting the buoyancy of You.
AMEN.