If you ever wonder whether your body could stay afloat on the sea, you may be interested to know that yes it could. The Law of Achimedes states that as long as the water your body displaces weighs more than you do, you will float. Saltier water also weighs more per unit of volume thus a swimmer will float higher in saltier water compared to fresh waters.
This knowledge however, disappeared in my own moment of panic. On a recent holiday trip, I agreed to snorkel for the first time. The excitement of seeing the beauty of the pacific island’s corals and fish supersede the fear of the deep water. The excitement however, was quickly replaced by overwhelming fear once I took the plunge out of the boat without a life jacket. All I have learned about buoyancy and the law of Achimedes disappeared as I struggled and panicked under water. It was not until I decided to stay calm and struggle less, the sinking feeling disappeared and I made it to the surface afloat.
In Psalm 139, King David acknowledges the presence of the Lord everywhere he went, “Even to the far side of the sea, Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” Are you sinking in your own fear? Are you allowing fear to distract you from the truth that God is in control of everything that has fallen apart? Are you struggling to ‘stay afloat’ with your own effort? The Lord is everywhere we go; He knows when we sit and rise, He hems us in behind and before and He is familiar with our ways.
Let the truth of God’s not forsaking character be bigger than your fear. The promise of the Lord’s presence everywhere we are is a wonderful comfort to calm and help us struggle less.
Psalm 139: 5 - 8
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
- Irene Soon
This knowledge however, disappeared in my own moment of panic. On a recent holiday trip, I agreed to snorkel for the first time. The excitement of seeing the beauty of the pacific island’s corals and fish supersede the fear of the deep water. The excitement however, was quickly replaced by overwhelming fear once I took the plunge out of the boat without a life jacket. All I have learned about buoyancy and the law of Achimedes disappeared as I struggled and panicked under water. It was not until I decided to stay calm and struggle less, the sinking feeling disappeared and I made it to the surface afloat.
In Psalm 139, King David acknowledges the presence of the Lord everywhere he went, “Even to the far side of the sea, Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” Are you sinking in your own fear? Are you allowing fear to distract you from the truth that God is in control of everything that has fallen apart? Are you struggling to ‘stay afloat’ with your own effort? The Lord is everywhere we go; He knows when we sit and rise, He hems us in behind and before and He is familiar with our ways.
Let the truth of God’s not forsaking character be bigger than your fear. The promise of the Lord’s presence everywhere we are is a wonderful comfort to calm and help us struggle less.
Psalm 139: 5 - 8
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
- Irene Soon
RSS Feed
