Just Put One Foot in Front of the Other...

The other day, I went out to dinner with a few friends. All of them were certified lifeguards, and spent the meal talking about lifeguard training, rescues, and such things (needless to say I did not have a lot to add to the conversation).

As the only non-lifeguard there I certainly learned a lot, and one thing that really struck me was a concept of dealing with panicked victims. When someone is in danger of drowning, it is a distinct possibility that they will lose it; completely panic and resort to mad and purposeless flailing to try to stay afloat. The danger then becomes acute for the person trying to save them, because when he gets near enough to do anything to help, the hysterical victim may quite possibly hit him, jump on top of him, drag him down. So what could you possibly do when the person you're trying to help will only destroy you both? All of my life-guarding friends knew the answer. The rescuer has to swim up just out of the victims reach. Our panicked friend, on seeing help so close, will often make a mad lunge for the rescuer, who propels himself back, again just out of their reach. They do this panicky little dance over and over again until the lifeguard has guided them right back to shore. To clarify, the victims thoughts are something along the lines of, "I'll never make it back to shore alive. But surely I can make it those few feet to that lifeguard."

This struck me so much, because it's a thought pattern that I think a lot of us live in (at least I know I do). When we see where we want to be, healed, joyful, thriving--it looks completely unattainable. We tell ourselves, "I'll never make it that far." But somehow there's always a little step right in front of us that we know we can take with confidence.

I realized, listening to this story, that God has been pursuing me like a lifeguard for years now. I have never been able to believe in where's He's taking me, but God has convinced me each step of the way to take each little leap forward.
"Surely I'll never be the woman of peace and joy that I want to be. But at least I can set aside some time for God every day."
"There's no way I'll ever be that woman. But at least I can learn to really pray through the things that weigh down my heart."
"I'm never going to be that woman. But at least I can encourage the people around me."
"I will never make it through this. But at least I can trust that God is good."
"I will never ever be there. But at least..."
The shore is a lot closer. I truly cannot make it on my own, but suddenly I realize that's not stopping me, because God is not going to give up and leave. He's going to keep leading, every step--or splash--of the way.

In Jeremiah 29:11, God is talking to a man named Jeremiah, whom He loved. And He says something that is true of everyone who loves Him: " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " The great future that God has for us is a little much to comprehend; it feels so far away. But before that future comes hope, just enough to get through each step of the way.

Truly His,
Caroline