The Right Size Pool

Years ago, we bought one of those cheap inflatable pools for our backyard. It fit perfectly in this big circular space we had. Honestly, it was a great way to survive the Florida summer heat.

Then last year, when we were selling our house, we put it away. Turns out, most people looking to buy a nice house aren’t hoping it comes with a cheap inflatable pool in the backyard. Apparently, that’s considered an “eyesore.” This is why I’m not a realtor.

So it sat in the garage for almost two years.

This past week, with summer cranking up, we decided it was hot enough to justify bringing it back out. Cheap relief sounded like a good plan.

There was just one problem.

The large circular space it fit perfectly in at our old house is now a much smaller rectangular space in our new backyard, squeezed between a wooded area that drops off and a small walkway.

And…it did not work.

Water, as it turns out, does not care about my plans. It goes where gravity takes it.

So this once proud circular pool started stretching into an oval, spilling toward the woods, creating a strange “deep end” on one side, pulling everything down so low that it couldn’t fill properly, the filter couldn’t work properly, and the whole thing looked like an awkward blue blobfish.

And I had this thought…

Sometimes we try to force old ways into a new life, and it just doesn’t fit.

That’s often what happens when we begin following Jesus.

Scripture says, “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation.”

Something changes in us.

But often, out of comfort or habit, we keep trying to force old rhythms, old patterns, old priorities, and old ways of living into this new life Jesus is forming in us.

And it feels off.

Awkward.

Like a blobfish pool.

Years ago in youth ministry, I saw this often. Students would encounter Jesus, experience real transformation, and then go home to the same environments, same habits, same rhythms, and over time, those old patterns would start shaping them again.

It was like they used to be a round peg fitting into a round hole. Then Jesus begins transforming them into a square peg…but their life is still shaped like a round hole. Over time, the edges get chipped away until they fit the old mold again.

And honestly, I’ve seen the same thing with adults.

Maybe even more so.

Because adults have mortgages, routines, friend groups, responsibilities, and decades of habits. Change feels costly. So instead of letting Jesus reshape our lives, we often just tack on a few “Jesus-y” things and keep everything else intact.

But that’s not really discipleship.

When Jesus called his disciples, they left behind old ways of life to follow him. Not because work, family, or responsibility stopped mattering, but because he became the center.

And when Jesus becomes the center, everything else finds its proper place.

Some things that once felt essential start losing their grip on our hearts.

Our perspective changes.

Our desires shift.

Our lives start to fit differently.

Dallas Willard once said, “Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.”

Meaning, the grace offered to us is not something we earn, save up, or stockpile. It is freely given to us. At the same time, that grace is often experienced in powerful ways when we choose to take on the ways of Jesus, practice our faith in everyday life, and work to know and share the love of Jesus with others.

That takes effort.

But that is not earning.

To know Jesus and the life he offers us, we will take intentional steps that both remove things and begin new things. Those are good things. But to think those things earn grace is to miss the point.

Jesus talked about putting new wine into new wineskins. To put new wine into old wineskins would destroy the old skin and spill out the new wine.

Following Jesus will often mean letting go of things that no longer fit the life he’s inviting us into.

Do you know what the solution was for our blobfish pool?

Take it down.

And find one that fits.

Guess what? The new pool is smaller, less expensive, less cumbersome, and most importantly…it fits.

Following Jesus isn’t about adding more.

Not cramming in more “Christian” activity.

But intentionally embodying the way of Jesus.

That’s where life begins to fit.

I hope over this summer you will continue to experience the life Jesus offers, follow him and his ways, let go of old patterns, and find new life in him.

 

A few upcoming things at The Chapel.

Tuesday Noon Prayer Hour.  Nearly every Tuesday this summer, come to The Chapel between noon and 1 p.m. for a time of quiet prayer and reflection. We open with a short devotional, reflective teaching, times of silence, prayer prompts, and live worship. It’s a simple and beautiful time to rest in Jesus. We also have some great in-house prayer prompt booklets if you’d like to use one.

Come and go as you need.

We will meet tomorrow, Tuesday, June 16th, but we will not meet on Tuesday, June 23rd. Then we’ll be back on Tuesday, June 30th.

 

Summer Bible Studies.  We are doing all-church evening Bible study on Wednesday, June 17th at 5 p.m. at The Chapel. We had our first one last week, and it was great. We plan to have two more in July.

If you join us, you’ll get a live co-ed Bible teaching from me and Sarah. If you’ve ever listened to the podcast, it’ll be like a live version of our Study Notes Podcast.

Our hope is gathering at 5 p.m. allows people to grab dinner together, enjoy sunset, or continue building community with one another at The Chapel.

Last week we finished at 6:15, and we plan to hold to that again this week.

So come on, we’d love to have you.

We’ll be in 2 Peter focusing on chapters 2 and 3. See you Wednesday.

 

Families with Toddlers.  If you worship with us regularly, we have created space for your toddler on Sunday mornings at the 8:30 service. To get more information and details, email Sarah at Sarah@thechapelatseaside.com.

 

Next Gen. As you likely know, we’re in summertime rhythm with Next Gen. We still have kids (5-year-olds-5th grade) meeting on Sunday mornings at the 10 a.m. service. They check in at The Chapel and then head over to the Seaside School for lessons and activities. This is open to kids ages 5 through 5th grade.

Our youth (middle and high school) are now attending service. Some attend the 10 a.m. service and others attend 8:30 and help out at the 10 a.m. kids’ church activities.  If you are interested in helping serve our kids’ church ministry at 10, please let us know by contacting chelsea@thechapelatseaside.com.

We have some events and activities planned for the summer and will kick off regular youth gatherings again in the fall. Be on the lookout for more details about Kids and Youth via email.

 

Parking.  Parking is limited at The Chapel, and it will only get more crowded as summer gets rolling. We encourage you to park by the school on Smolian and use the linked parking passes. This link should cover now through the rest of the summer.

These passes are good for Sunday morning worship until noon and for our special Wednesday evening Bible studies.

You can also park in the county lot between Seaside and Watercolor. It’s a lovely short walk from there to The Chapel.

 

Worship.  In case you hadn’t heard, we have two services each Sunday at The Chapel: 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.

The services are the exact same, but the early service is a bit less crowded…and significantly cooler outside.

As always during the summer, things get busier around here.

This Sunday, we’re excited to welcome Rev. Steven Saul. He is an active worshiper here at The Chapel and retired Anglican clergy.

If you’re in town, join us as we continue looking at the story of Daniel and the Hebrew people in exile in Babylon.

Of course, if you’re traveling or sick, worship with us online on Facebook, on our YouTube channel, or listen to the sermon podcast wherever you stream. Just search for The Chapel at Seaside.

 

I think that is it for now.

Let us know if you need anything. If you’re free, I hope you’ll join us for Tuesday Noon Prayer, Wednesday All-Church Bible Study, and worship on Sunday.

 

Blessings.

Andrew