Weekly Words

Hold On

I grew up a “Mama’s Boy.” My mother was such a source of inspiration, comfort, criticism, unbridled love, unrelenting discipline, and unyielding support. One of the things I loved about my mama, while I was growing up, was that she was such a good athlete. My mother could play volleyball, tennis, basketball, bowling, swimming, and she was a swift runner. Both of my parents were decent athletes, but I guess the sexism in me took more pride in my mother’s athleticism because I expected a man to be an athlete. For the most part, my mother taught me how to swim. I can remember vividly our trips to Bartholomew Park in Austin, TX going to the pool to swim and learn how to swim.

One of the techniques my mother utilized to teach me how to swim independently was to turn me toward her, push me away from her at arms length, let me go, and make me swim to her while she backed up and held out her arms. This practice allowed me to swim by myself, but it kept her in close enough proximity to me such that if I failed she was there to hold me. More importantly, I would be close enough to her to reach out and hold on to her if I could not swim anymore. Often times, my mother would make reaching her and holding on to her neck the goal of my swimming. Other times I used to hold on to her neck as a crutch or an aid when I was too tired, too overwhelmed, and to inexperienced in water that was too deep and away from banks that were too far. Then sometimes I would hold on just because it felt good to be carried by my mama in deep water. In these times there was something relaxing about relying on her strength, being moved by her power, and being supported by her efforts.

Such is the case with God. There are so many times that we find ourselves trying to swim in the water of life. On the one hand, the goal of our swimming should always be to reach God and hold on to God’s neck while God has loving arms out waiting. However, God is not only the hope where our swimming leads us; God is the help when our swimming fails us. (I believe somebody is with me now.) There are times when we are too tired, too overwhelmed, and too inexperienced. There are times when the water is too deep, the current too strong, and the banks too far. In these times it is comforting to know that God stays in close enough proximity to us for us to hold on if we need a savior. Yet I leave assuring you that desperation need not be the only reason you hold on to God. Sometimes it is good to hold on to God because it feels soothing to our spirit, relaxing to our nerves, comforting to our soul and uplifting to our hearts. Don’t forget to hold on to God just to enjoy the presence, power, strength, and grace of God. Because when you hold on to God, God holds on to you.

Humbly in Christ’s Love,
Pastor B.A. Jackson