Traveling to Israel, “the Holy Land,” was life-changing in ways I had never imagined. In the middle of our 10-day journey, we found ourselves at a lovely hotel at the Dead Sea. This was a much-needed respite from all the walking we had done and still had ahead of us later in the week. I thought it would be like any other day at the beach, but I was wrong. People don’t come here to swim; they come here to float. In fact, it is so easy to float that it can be difficult to stop floating! Because of the buoyancy of your body in this super-salty water, it can be hard to force your legs back under yourself to stand up. So, our tour guide gave us specific instructions about how to get in and out of the water. My reaction? First of all, based on past experience, I wasn’t sure I could float, and secondly, I didn’t want to get stuck in the Dead Sea! I had heard that it was impossible to drown there, but I did not want to put that statement to the test. I was apprehensive.
Despite my concerns, I decided to try it. I waded out to where my dad and other friends were floating, and my dad stood by me and took my hand as I sat down in the water. Much to my surprise, my legs popped up as I leaned back with my arms spread wide open. I was floating! I was amazed at how relaxing it was.
After being in the water a few minutes, someone told me to rub my fingers together – they felt like silk. This mineral-rich water was doing something to my skin: exfoliating the rough places and healing small cuts. This “dead” water was rejuvenating! It might be called “dead” but it seemed more like “living” water. It struck me that this was a beautiful illustration of the Resurrection of Jesus.
John 3:16 tells us that “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” Motivated by love, Jesus died so that we might live with Him forever. But we also have a part in this redemption process: We must believe in Him. I walked into the Dead Sea, sat down in it, and trusted that it would hold me up. The salty water kept me afloat. Likewise, when we put our faith in Jesus, He is able to keep us “afloat.” Jude 1:24 puts it this way: He “is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy.”
In order to float smoothly on the Dead Sea, I had to maintain the proper posture. When I brought my arms up out of the water, I stayed afloat, but I was off-balance. In our Christian walk, Jesus is the one who keeps us afloat, but our “posture” is important to maintaining “balance.” If we want to be in a “balanced” relationship with the Lord, He must be King of our lives and we must be humble servants. He must be Father and we must be obedient children. He must be in charge, and we must trust Him with everything. We know that He loves us, and that love is the basis of our relationship with Him. But how do we respond to His love? What “posture” will we choose? Will we show our love for Him through humility, obedience, and faith? If we are to enjoy the benefits of the relationship, then we must do our part.
What are the benefits? In addition to enjoying the love of God, we have Him with us in every situation. In this life, we have troubles; this is no surprise to us because Jesus told us that we would (John 16:33). For example, our family is still waiting for my brother-in-law’s murder to be solved, and while I was in Israel for this trip, there were five more shootings in that same town. “Troubles” come in various forms: illness, unemployment, rebellious children, addictions, loneliness, etc. While we do have troubles in this world, Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). He is able to bear the weight of our troubles, just as the Dead Sea supported my body’s weight as I floated in it.
Another benefit of a relationship with Jesus is that He is always at work in our lives. While I was floating in the Dead Sea, the salty water and minerals seemed to smooth and soothe my skin. Jesus is working in us daily to make us more like Him. He is rubbing off the “rough edges” through the challenging circumstances He sends and allows. He comforts us in the midst of the trials and soothes our souls. He has promised that He will continue this good work in us, conforming us to His likeness, until we are complete on the Day of Christ Jesus (Romans 8:29, Phil. 1:6).
The benefits I experienced from floating in the Dead Sea were temporary, but the benefits we enjoy in a relationship with Jesus are eternal. He gives us “Living Water” that keeps us from ever thirsting again (John 4), and He puts His Spirit in us as the guarantee of His presence forever (Ephesians 1:13-14).
At this Easter time of year, I want to encourage you to come to Jesus, who gives the Living Water. Rest in Him by faith. Keep a proper posture toward Him: Be humble, obedient, trusting. He is able to carry you through the challenges of life, using them to do a good work in you, and give you peace in the midst of the trials. I’m living proof. I’m “floating.”