Drop the Weights

Recently my family went on a cruise, and I decided to do a beginner’s SCUBA diving excursion in Barbados. About 30 minutes into the dive we were around 40 feet deep. As I was enjoying the beauty, I suddenly realized that I was having trouble getting air. After locating the gauge I knew that the needle being on zero was not a good thing. I swam rapidly to the top but by this time I had no air left in my lungs. As I yelled for help, I noticed a boat 50 yards away, but they did not hear me. My weights and tank kept dragging me back under water. After going under a couple of times, I believe God said, "Drop the tank and weights." I flipped over on my back, unbuckled them, and let them drop. I struggled and yelled for help again. I knew someone heard me because two people dove into the water. By now my legs were cramping and my arms were heavy. I went back under water and with every ounce of strength, managed to get my head above water to yell for the swimmers to hurry. I went under for what I believed was the last time. Then I felt a hand grab me and pull me back above water. A kayaker had come out of nowhere! No one will ever convince me that God did not send an angel to save me. The kayaker held onto me until another boat arrived and pulled me aboard. The kayaker disappeared as quickly as he had appeared.

Reflecting on my experience, I realized that often in my life, I have an empty tank, and I have strapped the weights of life around me. I realized that God is crying out for me to "drop the weights." He is waiting to grab my hand and breathe His everlasting air back into my lungs. If you are struggling with the heavy things of life, "drop the weights!" God is reaching down to grab your hand as He did mine. God, and God alone, has all the air we will ever need.
- David Cox