Save Nothing for the Swim Back

POWER VERSE: Psalm 16:11

About a month ago I was watching a movie titled Gattaca which is about a “genetically inferior man assuming the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.”  Kind of an older movie, but for some reason I wanted to see it for the longest time and since it was on TV I decided “let’s make it happen”J. Well, as I was watching Gattaca, the movie came to a climax which pitted brother against brother, genetically inferior (Vincent) vs. superior (Antonio) in a game of chicken. This game of chicken involved swimming as far as one can until one of the brothers decided to stop or quit. Well, as you may have guessed, Antonio owned Vincent in this game of chicken for the longest time until one day Vincent ousted his genetically superior brother Antonio. It was at this moment that Vincent said something that has stuck with me since. When Antonio questioned Vincent on how he beat him, Vincent said with all his being and with every ounce of passion he had, that he “saved nothing for the swim back!” 

Now you may be saying that this is just a movie or an insignificant moment in time, but I think it is much more than that. This is a statement about how we Christians should live out our Christian lives by saving nothing for the swim back. I’m reminded as I write this devo of Pastor Halsted’s sermon on Sunday when he so eloquently described our calling, and purpose on this earth as men and women of God. And through this devo, I second and amen everything Pastor Halsted but said with an emphasis; its imperative we walk out our purpose, with saving nothing for the swim back! Now with all honesty I can say that I have not walked out my purpose with this same mind set or conviction, but it’s time that I did. There’s something intriguing, and unique about someone giving they’re all for a cause they believe in. Going all out, pouring every ounce of being into something other than sheer complacency, apathy, and lethargy which is so rampant among America’s youth (Say that’s me.) You’re the youth of today’s world (Selah). Will you be one of those who does not follow God’s calling on your life (don’t doubt you have a calling because you do), or are you going to be one that gives everything they got and can say at the end of their time, you saved nothing for the swim back?

As it is written in Psalm 16 that in the LORD’S presence there is fullness of joy I urge you today, for you to become the man or woman of God you’re called to be. It will take you spending time in the LORD’S presence. I can say with all sincerity that it is there where you will find your identity, sufficiency, direction, and every tool you will need to run hard on this journey. Let’s be those like Vincent who are so passionate, determined, and willing to lay it all on the line for God. Lets run and not look back knowing that we have a finish line and regardless what comes our way, before God we can say, WE SAVED NOTHING FOR THE SWIM BACK!

God bless, 

Travis