I have great memories of spending summers at the pool as a swimmer, lifeguard, and coach.
Although I’ve been on a diving board countless times, I hate to admit I’ve never been able to do a flip. With this fundamental feat out of my reach, watching what the Olympic divers do in the air blows me away.
I’m incredibly impressed with synchronized diving on both the platform and the springboard. Seeing two people simultaneously jump, flip, twist, dive, and land in the water is astonishing! It’s hard enough to do a flip on your own (at least for me), let alone in sync with someone else, copying each action of their teammate. Yet, with practice, they’ve learned how to do it well.
During these events, the pair of divers attempt to sync the same steps and motions and rely entirely on the other to move correctly. They’ve developed a strong sense of trust and unity to make it to the Olympics.
As we consider the sport of synchronized diving, what does it look like to embrace “synchronized living?” It’s choosing to live like Jesus by taking the proper steps, copying His actions, waiting on God’s timing, following His moves, and developing a solid trust and unity with Him. We want our life to look more and more like His life did on earth.
In 1 John 2:5-6 (NLT), the Bible tells us, “But those who obey God’s Word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”
Bad timing or a diver deviating from the plan doesn’t end well in synchronized diving, and we get a similar result when we rush things, get distracted, misstep, or do our own thing. We must remain in sync with Jesus, seeking His will, walking with Him, and moving as the Holy Spirit leads us.
Galatians 5:25 (AMP) states, “If we [claim to] live by the [Holy]Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].”
Galatians 5:16 (NLT) says, “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
Today, let’s go step by step and move by move with God – synchronized with Him as He leads the way.
I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that Your Spirit leads me as I walk with You. Help me to be in sync while abiding in You. Give me the strength and awareness to take each step with You and not go my own way. Thank you for guiding me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.