When it comes to little kid swim lessons, there are two types of kids: There’s the one who refuses to go in any faster than one toe at a time and screams as you try to hand them off to the swim instructor (bless them). And then there’s the one who leaps off the edge of the pool without a thought in the world for who will catch them. In my experience, there is no in-between.  

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As a child, I fell squarely in the former category. I remember it so clearly - a hotel swimming pool on a trip to Washington DC, and my mom taking great pains to teach me to swim. I met her courageous attempts with pure terror, absolutely refusing to trust her to hold me up.  

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Although I did eventually learn to swim, I know I’ve done the same with other people and situations in my life. And what’s more, I’ve done the same with God.  

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I think the thing for me with swimming was two-fold: First, fear of the water - I knew the threat was real. And second, a lack of awareness of my mom’s provision in that moment. Picture this with me: You’re learning to float on your back - but of course, you can’t feel the hand of the person helping you learn across the back of your entire body. You can feel it maybe on the middle of your back, but not everywhere. That doesn’t mean you’re not supported, though. My mom understood how water works! She knew what was needed for me to stay safe in this moment. From my view, though, I was barely held! One measly hand to hold me up and keep me safe?! No way!  

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Having my own son now, I know the futility in trying to teach him about the physics of floating before I ask him to learn to do it. His brain isn’t developed enough. And yet, even before he can grasp all the factors, the full science and the mystery of it, he still has to learn to navigate the waters all the same.  

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That, my friend, is faith.  

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We’ve got to learn to navigate the waters, even before we have the capacity to understand everything about how God works, why he makes the choices he does, why he lets some things happen and holds others back. That’s life this side of Heaven, right? Trusting the hand that is holding us up, even if we don’t understand how, even if we can’t always feel it right there.  

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What I didn’t believe in that hotel swimming pool was this: My mom’s provision was completely sufficient for the threat. See, I wasn’t wrong in my fear exactly - water is a real threat when you don’t know how to swim. But what I was wrong in was an understanding of my provision. That pool was like 4-feet deep - maybe! My mom was completely able to save me if needed. I wasn’t a weight on her hand at all as she held me up. She wasn’t afraid in that pool, and because of that, I didn’t need to be either.

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Hebrews 7:25 reminds us of this encouraging truth about our real Savior and ultimate Provision, Jesus: “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”  

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Eventually kids learn to swim on their own, but the beauty of our lives with Jesus is that we never have to be without his hand holding us up. Not for one second. He always lives to intercede for us before the Father, and he is able to save us - not just in a pinch, not if we whine loud enough, not if we’ve been a good girl or boy - he is able to save us completely. Whatever waters you’re navigating today, allow your trust to rest entirely on his steady hand.  

As you end this devo, take a moment to surrender to God in the waters of this life - whatever that looks like today. Close your eyes and pretend you’re floating in water. Imagine his hand is what’s holding you up. Notice his presence and demeanor - He’s not scared. You’re not too heavy. He’s not impatient with how long it’s taking you to learn. He’s glad you’re trusting him more and more today, and I hope, as you take a moment to float, that you see his smile, just glad to be with you in the pool.