Our first deep sea diving experience at Poor Knights Island in
New Zealand may not have been the most pleasant, but it was nonetheless
memorable, and we learned a very important lesson.
As it was a beginner's course, the emphasis was put on how to stay under. It's
true though that our natural tendency was to snorkel, thus no matter what, we
unawaringly drifted upward. Our instructor's job was to keep us under at all
costs. Unless we were out of air, that is.
However it soon became apparent that my wife and I both had the tendency to
float towards the surface a bit more …
how could I say
this … more constantly than other beginners?
It didn't help that I was facing three challenges. The first was that no matter
how much I spit in my mask, how many special drops I used, how much toothpaste
I applied, my mask fogged up. Have you ever tried to drive in a fogged-up
car? Exactly. It's impossible!
The second challenge was that my mask seemed to have an insatiable thirst. No
matter what I did, water leaked in. The mask was strapped on so tightly that I
had strap burns afterwards, but I still had salt water in my eyes. Now isn't
that a "burning" experience!
My third challenge was that the weights I was supposed to wear around my torso
preferred being around my legs. Once one of the guys tied them so tied that I
could hardly breathe, yet they continued to slip southward. As long as these
weights were where they were supposed to be, I could propel myself and stay
under. But as soon as they moved, I automatically drifted towards the surface.
Now you tell me how I was supposed to stay under with these three strikes
against me!
It is true that even if everything had been just peachy, I still might have
floated upwards. My wife didn't have the fog, leak, or slipping weight problems,
and she floated to the surface just as readily as I.
Life can be seen as a bathtub filled with an insatiable hunger for the above. I
remember praying to God when I was quite young (I couldn't count at that time,
so I don't remember how old I was!), thanking Him for loving me.
However bit by bit that urge for the above was replaced with surrounding
attractions. "Look at that cool fish!" "I wonder if they still have fried octopi
legs." "Where is Neptune? I think I should be the one replacing him!"
Quickly I found myself empty, unfulfilled, no matter how hard I tried to
accommodate to
my surrounding. Every pursuit left me
wanting. I was looking for something that I never could find. I was hungering to
fill the void in my life, but no matter how hard I tried, nothing seemed to ever
be able to fill it.
That's when my water-filled goggles fogged up and my weights slid down around my
feet. Looking heavenward, love and inner peace filled my heart, and I have never
been the same since. The One who had died for me and rose three days later has
filled my heart with pure love to the brim. I feel loved. I feel accepted. I
feel like I finally have purpose in life.
My friend, as we conclude this series, may I suggest that if you experience such
emptiness in your life, stop trying to fill it with more emptiness. It won't
work. I have tried, believe me. Everything leaves you dry and wanting! Come
instead to the One who loves you beyond reason. He does love you, you know!
Although He respects your choices, He waits patiently for you. He wants to
shower you with real love. He wants to fill your emptiness to the brim. No
longer will you feel wasted and unwanted. Welcome Him into your lives and
experience what most consider the impossible. Why don't you do this now?
Once you experience His love, no other love will do. Real life awaits you with
the one you deeply hunger for!
"If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue
to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." The LORD
replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Then Moses
said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from
here." (Ex 33:13-15 NIV)
"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house
of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to
seek him in his temple." (Ps 27:4 NIV)
Maybe being at the surface is where I should be after all!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.