Devotional: Defy The Pressure
May 7, 2006
 “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.†— II Corinthians 4:8
I remember a time about 20 years ago when I was really into water-skiing. Now, if you’ve ever tried to this wonderful sport ( I still love it), you know how the water seems to pressure and resist you, at first—seemingly drowning you, just before your skis begin to come in plane to elevate you to the water’s surface. I always loved the entire experience—floating with your skis on in the lake, waiting for the boat’s engine to roar, focusing your muscles to take the load, holding on to the rope and keeping your eyes forward, while the water does everything it can to keep you down. But if you know how to take advantage of the boat’s power, you rise steadily—and, within a few moments you’re skimming and jumping over the surface of the same water that, at first, held you back. What a rush!
Water-skiing gives us a picture of our Christian lives as we traverse God’s deep waters. First, we learn to take advantage of God’s power. Seemingly it’s an almost insurmountable struggle as we hang on to his ski rope, while watching His boat—the promises we inherit in His Word. The pressure and resistance of the World about us tax us, trying to keep us immobile and without air, while the weight of our own weakness seems almost unbearable. But like the water that lifts the skis, God the Holy Ghost lifts us beyond the resistance, and suddenly, we pop out of the water, gaining amazing speed and exhilaration, leaving the pressures and resistance behind and our progress is a joy, instead of a struggle, because we have allowed God’s power to tow us on His course in our lives. No wonder St. Paul said, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (II Corinthians 4:7).Â
Have we been willing to learn this spiritual truth? Have we viewed the deep waters of God’s lake as an opportunity to realize the supernatural power that first lifts us up and then carries us over those same waters? It’s all there for us, if we will hold on to God’s promises and keep our eyes on His course!
By the Spirit,
Chip+
