Diving Faith First

 “We are not of this world because your identity is rooted in Christ." ~ Hebrews 13:14-15

Free diving is similar to scuba but without a tank or gear. You float at the surface, breathe deeply, then hold your breath as you kick downward. It’s deep meditation: trusting your lungs to carry you 30 or 50 meters below. It's also one of the deadliest extreme sports on earth.

Full disclosure – I’ve never been freediving, but after watching a documentary on the subject, it got me thinking about how freediving is deeply woven into my Christian faith.

Without the hiss of a regulator, divers descend among fish close enough to brush fins. Divers observe schooling patterns, predatory chases, and the way sea fans bend with the gentle surge.

Mostly, they listen. The ocean has its own sound: a hum, a subtle vibration. It’s the sound of millions of gallons of water sliding over the ocean floor like a heartbeat.

Diving deeper into Christian faith requires the silence that comes when we’re in prayer with God, disconnected from the internet, TV, and people. By breathing in heaven’s lifeline through reflection, worship, scripture, and other spiritual disciplines, we maintain a connection with a God who’s guiding, sustaining, and embracing us.

The key to freediving is to conserve oxygen by remaining calm amidst intense stress and pressure. Every second underwater without a breath reminds us of the innate discomfort humans feel when a basic necessity is withheld. It’s a powerful metaphor for stepping out of our comfort zones.

Throughout my walk with Christ, I’ve noticed a persistent nudge not only to ditch my “safe place”, but to proceed in new, more challenging ways.

Free diving requires strong swimming skills, cardiovascular endurance, proper relaxation, and a keen understanding of safety protocols. Humans don’t belong underwater; it's not our natural habitat. Neither is this world the real home for followers of Jesus. The Bible verse above says that we are physically present in the world, but not of it, not part of its values.

Freediving is a communion affair. Though most descend into the deep alone, without trusted safety divers, freedivers would be splashing at death’s door. Dangers include blackouts, equipment failures, and entanglement. Divers rely on the buddy system as a safeguard while underwater.

Our spiritual life is no different. Christ came into the world to guide us on our spiritual ascent. When we’re at life’s toughest points, Christ reminds us that we aren’t designed to go it alone. God wired us to live and function in the company of other believers who can encourage us, hold us accountable, and spot dangers before we do.

As Christians, we put our hope and trust in Jesus, realizing that whatever happens in this world, our faith should not be moved, God is ALWAYS in control. Further exploring our faith and the Word of God will keep our hearts and minds focused on The One who sustains us daily.

Our Father, through Christ the living water, we thank you for the lessons learned from freediving, the magnificent ocean, and all who dwell and rely on it. Amen

Faith is Unnatural

 “God’s peace exceeds what the human mind can comprehend." ~ Philippians 4:7

They were nearly home from church. Jana’s preschool son and infant daughter sat securely in the back seat. The sun’s golden rays cast a warm glow on the passing countryside. It was a perfect day to put the world on pause - or so it seemed.

When she felt her iPhone vibrate, Jana instinctively reached for it. In that split-second distraction, she failed to notice the car ahead slowing down. Tires screeched, glass shattered, and airbags exploded when her car struck theirs in a thunderous collision.

Miraculously, the children were frightened but unharmed.

As a cautionary measure, paramedics transported Jana to the ER. They examined her for signs of internal bleeding, fractures, or anything unusual. Numerous scans revealed a kidney stone… and something else.

Weeks later, an Ultrasound, MRI, and subsequent biopsy confirmed Stage 2 breast cancer. The mass was close to her chest wall, masked by bone structures and muscle tissue. It'd gone undetected for years despite annual mammograms. The cell's advanced maturity required an aggressive treatment regimen.

Overwhelming shock, fear, confusion, and anxiety followed, as well as feelings of disbelief and worry about her family’s well-being. But a conclusive diagnosis discovered under such bizarre conditions due to a car wreck seemed… miraculous, which also brought tears of joy and gratitude.

The car accident had been a metaphor for her connection with God. “My faith had always been there, although barely enough to hold onto at times. Literally the size of a mustard seed, it helped me stay focused on that glimmer of hope as I recovered.”

“I'm grateful for the numerous ways God stretched and bolstered my faith in the weeks, months, and years that followed,” she confided. “I learned about trusting God and His sovereignty during that season, and found refuge in the book of Job.”

Call it belief, trust, or faith, none of it comes naturally, but as a gift of grace, made possible through Christ. It transforms our fallen nature, enabling us to trust and depend on God. “His comforting presence never left me. I leaned into Him during the accident, treatment, and recovery.”

Faith is more than intellectual acceptance of God’s existence. It’s far more than committing to a faith community, practicing a set of religious habits, and developing biblical literacy. Faith is something that shatters you, and then radically remakes you.

Faith requires a willingness to confess, without excuse or blame shifting, sins you once denied or hid. Faith is abandoning your own wisdom and fortifying your heart with God’s insight. It means giving up on your delusional control and resting in God’s authority.

While almost all civilizations throughout history believed in and worshiped some kind of God, faith is not a natural instinct. It must be fought for, cultivated, honed, practiced, tested, and honored.

Father God, Jesus’ Disciples were told that even if their faith was only the size of a mustard seed, they could crumble mountains. Help us grow and increase our faith in You alone and make us mountain-movers. Amen