Avoiding, Observing, Floating, Immersing…

I walked along the beach this morning. It was beautiful, warm. The sea was calm. I passed one or two fellow early morning walkers. ‘Good morning,’ was with a smile. Many, still at home, through choice or circumstances, weren’t enjoying the morning…

A group of paddle-boarders were paddling gently, chatting to each other. A small dog was on the front of one of the boards. There were several groups of swimmers… a very different experience from early morning swimming six months ago!

Musing… This morning some avoided the sea, some, like me, observed it, some floated on it, some were immersed in it…

Might this be four different approaches to aspects of life – avoiding, observing, floating, immersing?

…Football?… Some avoid it, some observe from a distance, some enjoy it, but it’s only superficial – on the surface, some get totally immersed in it…

Musing… Faith… Some avoid it; some are interested and enjoy observing from a distance; some float on it, appreciating the support it gives them; some get fully immersed and fully committed to it…

…Specifically… Reading Psalm 119 this morning… there are certainly avoiders, observers, floaters and immersers regarding reading the Bible.

… Relationships… Some people avoid relationships – perhaps afraid they’ll get hurt, perhaps wrapped up in their own world. Some are observers – watching, enjoying from a distance – but they won’t get their feet wet.

Some float on supportive relationships, but don’t want to get involved, perhaps wearing a life-jacket for the ‘just-in-case’. Others are fully immersed. With minimal protection they’re vulnerable and totally committed.

…Specifically… Marriage… It’s our wedding anniversary today… Avoiders will have nothing to do with marriage; observers may have memories or hopes, but currently can’t be or aren’t married… Floaters want a marriage to support them; for them marriage may be superficial. It seems to me that marriage is successful when there’s full immersion, vulnerability and total commitment…

P.S. I’d be interested to know if the ‘avoiding, observing, floating, immersing’ idea has other applications…