My sister swims competitively. She had once told me that one important thing they’d been taught in swimming was that the less you pause for a breath, the quicker you go.
When we grew up, learning to swim, we were taught that for every stroke you pause to take a breath. This shook me to my core. I literally paused when my sister shared that with me. But what got me was what she told me about one of her competitions. She said, “I was so focused on winning, I forgot to breathe.”
Who forgets to breathe? I really considered this question.
What am I willing to forget to do that I grew up doing, that is natural to me, a nurtured habit, an in-depth part of my behaviour to win against the devil and fulfil my purpose on this earth.
Which emotional response am I willing to dismiss to stay focused on the calling of GOD on my life?
What strange doctrine am I willing to let go of to fully conform to HIS Image?
As I look within my life in a bid to answer these questions, I really seek to have His Word examine my heart on a microscopic level.
Can I forget to breath? Can I forget to react? Can I forget to take offense? Can I forget to be silent? Can I forget to be comfortable?
I believe I can if I have to. I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me.
Sweet sister, I have gone a step further. I have gone from the place of I can do to I am doing all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. Is it difficult? Yes ma’am. But I have accepted that it’s pressure that forms the diamond; choosing to be any less won’t be worth this gift of life. I’m willing to shine, to show forth HIS Light and Glory for as many as possible on this earth to see. I desire with all that I am to be HIS reflection on this earth.
There is sincerely and truly no greater calling.
On a final note, she said to me that she couldn’t actually breathe for a while at the end of the race. It took a while to finally catch her breath but it was worth it… for every race, she got that medal; 3 of them actually.