Wasn’t that rescue in Thailand exciting . . . of the boys and their coach who were trapped in the underwater cave? Wow, apparently a soccer team went out for a field day to explore caves and sudden torrential rain came and trapped them for 2 weeks, until rescuers found them and brought them back with scuba equipment. All came back safe. The issue was that some of the boys didn’t know how to swim very well, and none of them knew how to scuba dive. So it was risky.
It’s a wonderful story. But I find it curious that some of the boys didn’t know how to swim. Because swimming is something that we are all innately know how to do. I have seen infants swim (underwater) and I guess all mammals know how to swim.
The problem comes is that at some point most of us, develop a fear of water, so that we start needing other devices to help us enjoy water. Like this swimming-jumper-thing for toddlers [reveal swimming flotation device]. It works, but it is not meant to be used forever. Eventually parents hope their kid will learn how to swim and then don’t rely on it. Some kids never learn and they stay attached to these. Or even as they grow up, some adults still require a device to help them enjoy water.
Now I am not talking about boating safety. Life vests are a good idea when in a boat, I am talking about swimming. We all instinctively know how, but sometimes we don’t (or won’t) trust that inner ability to float, to immerse or just enjoy water.
It’s sort of what Jesus was talking about in the gospel. He sends the disciples out to spread the message, but tells them not to rely on things to help them. No food, no sack (or backpack), no money. Just you, your walking stick and sandals . . . not even a second set of clothes. Wow.
I doubt that any of us could handle that kind of rugged adventure. I know that I couldn’t. But Jesus’ point is not to recreate a survival show for Discovery Channel, but to challenge the disciples and us . . . to not rely on THINGS, but rather to trust in God.
Honestly, there are some who couldn’t possibly imagine going without a phone, or without a comb, or the TV on, or without a Caribou Coffee. There is actually a things called “Internet Use Disorder” where people are trapped (addicted) to keep checking their phones. It’s as if the “thing” becomes one’s God (that is, we can’t live without it). And then we start trusting something else rather than trusting God.
So here’s a couple of challenges. Try living without that thing in your life. We usually do in during Lent, but try it this week. See what happens? Check your nervousness over it.
Here’s a second challenge, pick a day this week (perhaps today) choose to live as if everything you did or say was completely supported by God. Resolve to live an entire day, trusting that your feelings are accurate, your intuitions are reliable. As you approach each person or situation, ask yourself the questions . . . If I knew that God has completely got my back on this one, how would I handle this moment? What would I do? What could I say that would be true? What would be the right action to settle this situation with safety and clarity?
In the first reading Amos is told to go be a prophet. He complains, “What me? I can’t do it.”
God spoke through Amaziah, “You can do it. I am with you.”
Once you start imaging that God is you and that God has everything figured out for you . . . you probably don’t need lots of other gimmicks, or jokes or impressive grown-up toys . . . or shields or barriers. Go dive in, trust the God within you who won’t let you drown. Go. Enjoy.