Swim Angels (Life’s Triathlon 2)

It is 7 a.m. and the day of the triathlon has come. The horn sounds, signaling the first group of the competitors to jump into the water to swim the initial portion of their race. The splashing of feet hitting the shallow water is heard as swimmers run to reach a depth where they can begin swimming.
The strongest of the competitors are generally placed in the first groups. Every 10 minutes another group will jump into the water and begin their personal race. Some of these strongest swimmers delay their personal starts to fulfill the role of swim angels. These men and women come alongside the weaker swimmers to provide support and guidance through this first leg of the race. After assisting a weaker swimmer through the water, the swim angel then begins his/her own race in a later round.
God has intended this model to be practiced by His children everywhere. Younger or weaker Christians often need help as they start their race in life. We who have been with God for a longer period of time, having developed a stronger relationship with Him, are to come alongside the weaker ones and help them.
Nearing the end of His time here on earth, Jesus gave these instructions to His closest disciples. “Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).” (Matthew 28:19-20 AMP) After spending time with and learning from Jesus, these were to go, teach and train others to be like Him. They were to not only tell each other about the Messiah, but they were to help others follow His teachings.
The apostle Paul gave these instructions to Titus concerning the women of his congregation. “Bid the older women similarly to be reverent and devout in their deportment as becomes those engaged in sacred service, not slanderers or slaves to drink. They are to give good counsel and be teachers of what is right and noble, So that they will wisely train the young women to be sane and sober of mind (temperate, disciplined) and to love their husbands and their children.” (Titus 2:3-4 AMP) The older women are to be strong and godly in their own lives and help develop that strength and godliness in the lives of younger women.
The Lord has called each and every one of us to, “Bear (endure, carry) one another's burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it].” (Galatians 6:2 AMP) He has also instructed us to warn, encourage and be patient with all. “And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper].” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 AMP) We must learn from and support each other.

A swim angel must continue to develop and maintain his/her strong swimming skills. If not strong, a panicked, weaker swimmer could pull them down into the water. Neither swimmer would do well in this situation. Likewise, a believer must continue to develop and deepen a relationship with God. This relationship must be strong enough so that, even in the most difficult situations, one is able to overcome the temptation to fall into sin and error. “Brethren if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.” (Galatians 6:1 AMP)

Acting as a swim angel or a mentor requires a commitment. Energy will be expended for the benefit of another. There may also be a delay to the start of some of our own activities. But we will have the rewards of seeing those we have helped grow and learn and finish the race. God will fulfill His plans for us in a richer, more fulfilling way than if we had solely focused on ourselves. If He has called us to help others in this way, we do not need to fear lacking the energy to finish our own race. It will be better than ever in the end.

Are you strong in your faith and relationship with Jesus Christ? Then seek the Lord and come alongside another, weaker believer to help them start their race.