[Judy Yates]

Yesterday I did something that many people have on their bucket list. I don’t have a bucket list, but nevertheless I found myself floating around in the Dead Sea, considered to be one of nature’s wonders.

It wasn’t the floating that attracted me because I float naturally in almost any position in any type of water. For some reason God has made me very buoyant. It was the natural healing of the skin that takes place because of the high density of salt and minerals in the water that really intrigued me. I tend to have sensitive skin so I thought I would try it out and see what would happen. I waded into the water and sticky mud. I walked to the middle of the enclosed area and sat down to float. It was an interesting feeling. The water felt like syrup against my skin. I felt very smooth. I floated around for awhile talking to people. It was a very different than normal swimming but it was very peaceful.

As I pondered this experience, I found myself drawing some analogies between the Dead Sea and my faith. In the Dead Sea nothing can live, but the Sea lifts people up so that they can float. There is no struggle because the salt supports them and they cannot sink. When I was dead from sin, I could not not achieve eternal life on my own, but Christ lifted me up with him on the cross. I did not have to struggle because his love supported me.

When I get stuck in the mud of daily living, Jesus cleanses me with his blood and makes me whiter than snow. He smoothes out the rough patches in my life. When my desire to follow him loses it saltiness, my life seems meaningless but he restores my faith. He is the spice of my soul. Christ’s healing power is far greater than that of the Dead Sea. His love never recedes, but continues to roll over us forever. We cannot sink because he is there to lift us up in all circumstances. Glory be to God!