There’s the matter of an inexperienced swimmer who slips into a deep water body and starts drowning. There’s that alarming moment when the lifeguard stand idly by watching him struggle and thrash about as he gulps large amounts of water. It is only when he is half unconscious and starts sinking, that he jumps in and with a few swift strokes, reaches the limp bodied man, to effect a rescue. A novice will be mortified by the initial delay, viewing such as undue cruelty. ‘Jump in and save the man, I can’t swim but you can!

In actuality, if he does just that -he would no doubt discover the uncanny strength of panic, and the death grip. He would discover that it is near impossible to save a drowning man in the throes of fear. For he will clutch so tenaciously at his savior that the latter will be unable to swim at all, nor free himself. It is likelier they both go under, than anything else.

This is why lifeguards are trained in the art of rescucitation, because it is wiser and much easier to save a sinking man and then pump out the water from his stomach and chest, than to attempt to save such a man whilst he is in the grip of a panic attack.

Fathers and grandfathers can be seen as lifeguards who watch over their children and grandchildren with care and concern. Just as a lifeguard must be trained and prepared to respond to emergencies, fathers and grandfathers must be equipped with wisdom, patience, and love, to help their children navigate life’s challenges.

God is waiting for us to drop the matter so that He can take it up. It is sometimes quite a hard lesson. To first sit still so that God can work. Man wants to work so that he can rest, but God says to us ‘Rest, so that I can work’. God wants to do something for you and your child/grandchild. Do you know that? And He does not need your help.

As Fathers and Grandfathers we must understand the importance of timing. A lifeguard must wait until the right moment to intervene, lest they put themselves and the swimmer(children) in greater danger. You must know when to step in and when to let go, trusting in God’s sovereignty and timing. By doing so, they can provide guidance and support without suffocating their children’s growth and development. We must learn to trust in God’s sovereignty and timing by recognizing that God is the ultimate rescuer. Just as the swimmer must surrender to the lifeguard’s expertise, fathers and grandfathers must surrender their children to God’s plan and trust in His goodness and find peace and confidence in His ability to guide and protect their children.

It is natural for us to always want to try to do something. However, the economy of the New Testament is indeed quite frustratingly opposite to the economy we are used to. It is called grace. Grace means that ‘God does something for me, something I could never have done for myself’. In actual truth, the Christian Life is so high that only Christ can live it. That is both bad news, and good news. It is bad news for those who want to work it out by following a set of rules and resolutions, or a style of worship; and it is gospel for those who are willing to surrender.

What God wants to do is entirely new. He is making all things new, starting with you and your child/grandchild. It is high up there. Never before seen or known. And He is doing it in you. For instance, for major surgery, the patient has to be put to sleep, so that the surgeon can perform the extensive work required. The patient has to trust the surgeon. They have to sign a consent form agreeing to the procedure. Just like the 11th chapter of John’s gospel, when Lazarus was sick and Jesus was told. ‘Your friend Lazarus is sick’. Jesus waited four days before He went to Bethany where Lazarus was. By this time, Lazarus was not only dead, he was dead, stone cold, and buried in a tomb. Then the Lord showed something more than the Rescucitation of the Lifeguard; He showed that He was the Resurrection and the Life.

So one day the disciples ask Jesus ‘What might we do to work the works of God?’. He says to them ‘Believe on Him whom He has sent’. So here is a consent form. Jesus is saying ‘Come unto Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest’. Do you believe on Him? Have we signed that form? Or are we yet trying to work things out by ourselves? 

Christianity is surrender. The problem is one of trust. The problem is not that we are not strong enough, but that we are not weak enough, to just lean on God, and allow Him carry us. We don’t trust Him enough to help us, so we always want to do something about it. But Christianity is surrender. Drop the case, and God will take it up. Stop thrashing about and lie still. Believe on Him whom God has sent. You won’t drown.

In this sense, the role of fathers and grandfathers is not to try to control or manipulate outcomes but to trust in God’s plan and provide guidance, support, and love to their children. By doing so, they can help their children develop the resilience and character needed to navigate life’s challenges and find their own way.

By understanding the typology of the swimmer and the lifeguard, fathers and grandfathers can gain a deeper appreciation for their role in helping their children navigate the ups and downs of life. By trusting in God’s plan and providing guidance and support, they can help their children avoid drowning in the world’s challenges and find hope and purpose in life.

Sarah Darlingmoore is a seasoned freelance writer with vast experience crafting Spirit-led content that inspires and equips believers. She blends biblical truth with practical application to help individuals, brands, and organizations share their message effectively. With a background in ministry as a church leader and discipleship teacher, Sarah’s writing is informed by her passion for spiritual growth and her commitment to empowering believers. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages and Communication Studies from the University of Calabar, Nigeria.

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