To Get Deep We’ve Got To Get Uncomfortable

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

- Matthew 6:31-33

Growing up in San Diego, many summers involved long days at the Poway Community Pool.

Our family would pile into the car, bags packed with snacks and towels, and spend all day splashing around in the sun. I remember the momentous day when I finally was allowed to go in the deep end by myself. I’d spend hours blowing air out of my nose and frantically pushing the water up as I tried to reach the bottom of the 12 foot pool. And when I reached the bottom, everything felt a little bit different. My goggles got tighter, my eardrums would pop. At the time I didn’t know why, but over the years as my scientific understanding increased, it became clear that the pressure of the deeper water was noticeably felt. It was a little uncomfortable to be 12 feet deep in water.

Sometimes in order to get deep, we’ve got to get uncomfortable.

We live in an increasingly shallow and distracted world. We’re busier than ever, but also emptier than ever. Filling every second with SOMETHING! Noise, conversations, scrolling, events, practices, commitments. For a life that is so FULL, our souls are alarmingly empty. Because a distracted life doesn’t breed depth. A filled schedule is different from a meaningful schedule. Presence isn’t often guaranteed amidst our busyness.

We’ve become accustomed to the shallow end of the pool– Hhovering at around 4 feet deep, talking about work and pop culture and the latest podcast we listened to. Rarely captivated by God’s creation and struck by His overwhelming presence. Barely ever mentioning His name, or our prayer requests, or the thing we cried about last night, when we’re in the presence of others.

I can name it because I’m living it. We’re all struggling with shallowness; it’s the latest epidemic. But recognizing our shallowness doesn’t have to result in shame. A distracted life doesn’t mean you’re a bad Christian, it means you’re human. But together, we can get curious about what it would look like to plug our noses a little bit longer, and go a little bit deeper.

Because we all know that this shallow distracted life breeds discontentment. We see the skyrocketing rates of mental illness. We lay in bed at night and wonder if there is more.

The reality is, when we’re accustomed to the 4 foot pool, jumping 12 feet deep is going to be uncomfortable at first.

We’re going to feel the pressure shift, our lungs won’t be used to how much longer it takes to get to the bottom. And the invitation, friend, is if you want a more meaningful life… if you want MORE than what you’re living right now… learn to embrace the uncomfortable. Learn to be okay with the fact that the lifestyle that breeds depth might feel really odd at first.

It’ll feel odd to put away your phone at the dinner table. It’ll feel boring to sit in silence before the Lord. It’ll feel dissatisfying to stay silent while the rest of the group gossips. It’ll feel awkward to bring up Jesus with your friends.

And that uncomfortability is beautiful. Because it’s slowly sinking you deeper and deeper into the real life that God has for you. This isn’t all there is, there is so much more.

Start seeking Him. Go deeper. Get uncomfortable. And watch how He fills your life with more meaning than ever.

Cristina  Schmitter