CASUAL DRIFTING - by Dave

We were fueled and provisioned, embarking on an evening dive for doormats (flounder). The forty- four footer was comfortable with all the amenities of a home. We had planned this trip for weeks and anticipated a successful evening with six coolers waiting to be filled.

Every year in the spring the flounder make there way from the deep water and head for the shallows to spawn. They got the name doormats because of their size. Our destination the mouth of Pensacola Bay. This was a small inlet approximately 1/4 mile in width; Fort Pickens to the east Pensacola Beach to the west.

In less than an hour from leaving the dock we dropped the anchor in sixty feet of water and prepared for the night dive. Final checks made and one by one we entered the water. I buddied up with Jim and John both commercial divers and instructors. Kirk and Phil decided to stay with the boat and waited for our return with the treasure. We made our way to the anchor line and followed it to the bottom. As we followed the line down to the bottom there was a noticeable current. Our plan was to meet at the anchor and following a heading until we reached 1500 PSI and return back to the boat. John took the lead. I noticed that Jim had a minor problem with his equipment and need to make some adjustments. I stayed with him with my legs wrapped around the anchor line. The current was stronger that we expected. Jim lost his grip on the floor and began drifting slowly away into the darkness. His light got dimmer and dimmer until it blended into the darkness. I looked for John I could seen his light reflections about fifty feet from the anchor line. I was not concerned with Jim. He was a pro; one who had faced many underwater difficulties. I had confidence that he would make his way back to the boat. I began to swim to John. The current increased. I had to use my pole spear as an ice climber would use his climbing ax to make progress. Progress was slow. What I had thought was Johns light was phosphoresce in the water. I had lost both my partners to darkness. I continued and headed for shallow water hoping for less current and a safe spot to surface. As I made my way across the bottom, I found two old artifacts, an anchor and a bottle. I placed the bottle in my goody bag and held the small ten-pound anchor with my left hand. I found a treasure worth more that some doormats. These were Civil War artifacts I was sure. The current had exposed them from the blanket of sand that kept them hid from other divers. I soon realized that my old treasures were about to capture my life if I continued to hold on to them. My air supply was running short, my light was dimming, the current was ebbing away at my strength... I dropped the anchor, discarded the bottle and made my way to the surface.

The surrounding was unfamiliar. It looked like a city a half a mile away. Lights peppered the beach as far as I could see. The surface developed a one-foot chop, which made it difficult to locate my ride or find someone who would be willing to pick up a hitchhiker. I began to head to the beach when I heard a whistle and saw a bright spotlight about 3/4 of a mile away. I new it was my ride. I signaled them with my light, blew my whistle and within minutes the boat was there to pick me up.

They were glad to see that I was all right, and I was glad to see them. In addition I was glad they didn't desert me and give me up for lost knowing that the current could have carried me away.

Many of us have friends or loved ones who have made a profession of faith; who were on fire for God and slipped into the current that slowly drew them away from Christ and fellowship with his children. The Apostle Paul understood the pain that you feel. II Timothy 1:15. "You know that everyone in Asia has deserted me including Phygelius and Hermogenes." II Timothy 4:10 "for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Even our Lord Jesus faced this pain as one of his disciples drifted away from the faith and betrayed Him.

For the most part people don't just intentionally turn their backs on God. They gradually loose their faith over an extended period of time. It will be subtle, casual abandonment. The light that they hold will slowly disappear into darkness. They can become fooled by another religion that draws them to disappointment. Or the thing of the world will capture their fancy and draw them close to death. The writer of Hebrew provides us with instructions to keep us from drifting

Hebrews 2:1 "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."

It is easy for us to get caught in the tide of life and find your self in unfamiliar waters and become tired spiritually sloppy, and grow weary. How should be avoid growing weary during those times in our lives when the current seems to rule our course.

Hebrews 12:1-13 (verse 2-3)

Last modified: April 05, 2005

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