Malibu Beach was beautiful. I was in California for a conference and made the trip to the ocean for some open water swimming. I was surprised to see warning signs all along this picturesque stretch of sand and salt water: Beware of undertow. Duly noted. I pulled on my wet-suit anyway, waded out past the breakers and found my stroke and rhythm. I relaxed and began to enjoy the swim. It was beautiful. For a while. Until I got caught in the undertow. Its an unnerving feeling to be pulled where you dont want to go. Panicky, I stroked harder, fighting the sudden pull of this frightful force. I was no match. It pulled me further and further out to sea. Thankfully, I had the presence of mind to recall the diagram on the signs that explained how to escape an undertow. The key is not to attempt to swim against it, but to swim parallel to the beach. That way you eventually get beyond the underwater contours that cause the undertow. That is the only way of escape. Lately I have been reflecting on the deadly power of an undertow, mostly as I read many Facebook posts, blogs and their comment sections. Such a strong current seems to have captured so many of us, this powerful pull towards the negative, hostile, caustic, and abrasive! Such a combative stance towards everything! This undertow of negativity, intolerance and arrogance sucks us all further and further away from where we want to be, where we need to be. “They will know we are Christians by our love…” has been replaced often by a tsunami of negativity, judgmentalism, criticism, and arrogance. I find myself swept along as well, not strong enough to swim against this powerful current. How to escape? My only hope is to swim in a different direction. It was unsettling to be pulled in a direction I didnt want to go at Malibu beach, and it is unsettling to be pulled along into this undertow of negativity and hostility as well. So here is my strategy, my mental diagram of how to escape from this undertow in which I so regularly find myself. Its not profound, but my hope is that it is a way to find calmer, less turbulent water. I will not define myself or my faith simply by what I am against. I will reflect continuously on how to have John 13:35 characterize my life. I will not demonize others, even those whom I strongly disagree. I will not view those who disagree with me as unspiritual, unsaved or the enemy. I will interact with grace, kindness, patience and dignity with all, but especially those with differing views. I will resist the urge to die on every hill. I will give space for others to grow in their understanding. I will expect and invite others to help me grow, to change, to mature in my understanding. This is the only way I feel I can escape the frightful power of this negative undertow. Want to add to the list?
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 04:06:18 +0000
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