Big Splash

Driving past a public pool this week, I was struck by how deserted and lifeless it looked compared to 3-4 weeks ago. Yes, summer is over and we’ve moved on from outdoor aquatic swimming and splashing…

Swimming began for me at a local YMCA indoor pool that focused on overcoming fears of the water (face in the water, blowing bubbles, learning to float, etc…) and moved toward keeping yourself alive when in the water!  I completed my training through at Camelot, a larger outdoor public pool near our neighborhood.

Now certified to keep myself alive in water, I was able to focus on more important matters. Namely, joining my peers in trying to make a big enough splash off the diving boards to drench the lifeguard sitting in the chair overlooking the diving pool.  The guard whose duty it was to save our lives should we flounder.  Yeah, I was one of those kids!

For us, splashing the lifeguards was sort of a rite of passage. They were closer to adulthood, more capable swimmers, and had the authority to enforce pool safety rules.  Splashing them using proper bounce off the board and technique into the water was both an act of defiance and a personal win celebrated by the group.  We all worked hard and wanted to be known for making a big splash, that got the guard!

Years ago, God became fully human and made a big splash on our behalf!  He did, so we could jump into the diving pools of our lives (relationships, responsibilities, resources, etc…) without needing to make big splash to validate ourselves, win approval, secure status, or find significance.  The unshakeable Big Splash of Jesus’ incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection makes all that available to everyone and so much more!

Faith in Jesus, and what he offers, frees us to be more focused on helping others make their unique splash to the glory of God.  Jesus calls this loving God with all ourselves and loving others as ourselves. Let’s jump in with all we’ve got!