Yes, you read that correctly. I've been swimming since I was 5 years. Actually, I will rephrase that. I started taking swimming lessons when I was 5 years old, and I have been an avid swimmer ever since. But the reason I started taking swimming lessons needs a bit of an explanation. On two separate occasions, I jumped into the deep end of the pool- once at the neighborhood pool two blocks from my home in Bethlehem and once at the pool at Lake Nockamixon State Park in Nockamixon, PA.. Even though I wasn't afraid of it and knew I had to actually "swim" to get back to the ladder somehow so I could get out of the pool (and sort of knew how to at that point), on both occasions my mother was scared stiff. Both times, the lifeguards immediately pulled me out of the water. Both times, my parents yelled at me and told me never to do it again. At that point, my mother made sure I learned how to swim correctly so she didn't get scared every time I entered the deep end of the pool.
Since then, I've spent many summers of my childhood swimming at the pool near my house. Most of the time, I just did somersaults and hand stands and pretended I was a fish. But within the last 6 years, I started to swim laps without goofing off, or waiting until I was done with the laps to float on my back. The gym I go to has an indoor pool and an outdoor pool, so I swim 3 to 4 times a week all year round. At first, I did it to lose weight, but because I also have osteoarthritis and had spinal fusion surgery, swimming laps became my pain relief medicine and recovery therapy in addition to a fun time and a way to lose weight.
Because I'm a swimmer, at one time I did not understand why the writer of Hebrews wrote about being a Christian as if you're running a race in Hebrews 12:1-3. When I recently bought a new pair of running sneakers, I knew I'd wear them mostly to walk or do strength training in the weight room of my gym before I swim. I'm not a runner, and have no interest in pounding the pavement with any of my friends who are training for marathons and 5k races every morning at 6:00 am. Sure, you'll find me in the pool many mornings at that ungodly hour, but you will NOT find me running anywhere at that time unless I am running away from a robber or a dog about to bite me.
But the more I read Hebrews 12:1-3, the more I understood what it means. The New International Version of the Bible translates the verses to say: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
I may not be a runner, but any race we are in, whether swimming, biking, running, walking, or even our life as a Christian isn't always easy. There were many days I'd get into the pool and have a very enjoyable swim without pain. But as my scoliosis got progressively worse, there were many days I would struggle to walk into the pool and swim a few laps without feeling tired easily, especially in the week or two before surgery. When I got back into the pool four months after surgery, I did feel bit weak and tired. But now that it's almost a year after I've had surgery, I am feeling like my old self again and enjoy the strengthening of my entire body the more I keep swimming. At the same time, I had felt great for quite a long time as a Christian, but when my physical pain often became unbearable, I spent many days and nights discouraged, frustrated, alone, and scared. Now that I've had surgery, I'm depending more on God, on reading the Bible, and on others who are Christians to help me get through the frustration and scariness of my life.
The second thing I like about Hebrews 12:1-3 is that it follows Hebrews chapter 11, often called the Honor Roll of Christianity because it mentions many people who made it through the darkest days of their lives and points us to our peers who also walk through difficult times with a faith made stronger by the pain. I am thankful to others in the Bible and others at my church who brought hope to me, and I'm more than happy to give hope to others when they need it. When faced the choice between giving up or standing strong, we are encouraged to stand strong in the midst of trials and NOT give up.
One more thing I like about these verses is that Hebrews 12:2 Jesus is called the author and perfecter of the faith. Some Bible translations of the verse say Jesus is the author and finisher of the faith (King James Version), that he is our leader and instructor (The Living Bible), the founder and perfecter of our faith (English Standard Version), or the pioneer and perfecter of our faith (New Revised Standard Version.) Hebrews 12:2 also says that Jesus endured the cross with joy for us, and that His example of suffering and conquering death over sin can help us do the same.
It's been a long road back from spinal fusion, but I'll swim to the deep end and back with joy. As for my running sneakers? Well, don't mind me if I walk for now. I have no plans to compete in a marathon for now.