Our first deep sea diving experience at Poor Knights Island in New Zealand may not have been the most pleasant, but it was nonetheless memorable, and we learned a very important lesson.

As it was a beginner’s course, the emphasis was put on how to stay under. It’s true though that our natural tendency was to snorkel, thus no matter what, we unawaringly drifted upward. Our instructor’s job was to keep us under at all costs. Unless we were out of air, that is.

However it soon became apparent that my wife and I both had the tendency to float towards the surface a bit more … how could I say this … more constantly than other beginners?

It didn’t help that I was facing three challenges. The first was that no matter how much I spit in my mask, how many special drops I used, how much toothpaste I applied, my mask fogged up. Have you ever tried to drive in a fogged-up car? Exactly. It’s impossible!

The second challenge was that my mask seemed to have an insatiable thirst. No matter what I did, water leaked in. The mask was strapped on so tightly that I had strap burns afterwards, but I still had salt water in my eyes. Now isn’t that a “burning” experience!

My third challenge was that the weights I was supposed to wear around my torso preferred being around my legs. Once one of the guys tied them so tied that I could hardly breathe, yet they continued to slip southward. As long as these weights were where they were supposed to be, I could propel myself and stay under. But as soon as they moved, I automatically drifted towards the surface.

Now you tell me how I was supposed to stay under with these three strikes against me!

It is true that even if everything had been just peachy, I still might have floated upwards. My wife didn’t have the fog, leak, or slipping weight problems, and she floated to the surface just as readily as I.

Life can be seen as a bathtub filled with an insatiable hunger for the above. I remember praying to God when I was quite young (I couldn’t count at that time, so I don’t remember how old I was!), thanking Him for loving me.

However bit by bit that urge for the above was replaced with surrounding attractions. “Look at that cool fish!” “I wonder if they still have fried octopi legs.” “Where is Neptune? I think I should be the one replacing him!”

Quickly I found myself empty, unfulfilled, no matter how hard I tried to accommodate to my surrounding. Every pursuit left me wanting. I was looking for something that I never could find. I was hungering to fill the void in my life, but no matter how hard I tried, nothing seemed to ever be able to fill it.

That’s when my water-filled goggles fogged up and my weights slid down around my feet. Looking heavenward, love and inner peace filled my heart, and I have never been the same since. The One who had died for me and rose three days later has filled my heart with pure love to the brim. I feel loved. I feel accepted. I feel like I finally have purpose in life.

My friend, as we conclude this series, may I suggest that if you experience such emptiness in your life, stop trying to fill it with more emptiness. It won’t work. I have tried, believe me. Everything leaves you dry and wanting! Come instead to the One who loves you beyond reason. He does love you, you know! Although He respects your choices, He waits patiently for you. He wants to shower you with real love. He wants to fill your emptiness to the brim. No longer will you feel wasted and unwanted. Welcome Him into your lives and experience what most consider the impossible. Why don’t you do this now?

Once you experience His love, no other love will do. Real life awaits you with the one you deeply hunger for!

“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” (Ex 33:13-15 NIV)

“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” (Ps 27:4 NIV)

Maybe being at the surface is where I should be after all!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “The Heart of the Matter” devotional series, please click here.)