At the start of this past summer season, I set out on a mission to inflate all the pool floats.  In years’ past I would neglect this job, and I did not want to make that same mistake again.  Before, when I would head to the pool ready to swim and relax on a float, my time would be deferred until I did the work of inflating a float.  Inevitably, the one I would choose would have a hole or a slow leak, as not all floats last from one season to another.  Learning from these experiences was the reason for my mission this particular day.  

We have a little machine that assists with this process, for which I am so grateful.  I still have to hold it just right in each float, but at least this method does not leave me light-headed when I try to blow them up unassisted.  I started out on the pool deck, but as the sun made its way higher into the sky and was able to peek over the tree canopy, staying there was no longer an option.  When the direct sun rays became unbearable, I sought shade to finish the job.  

This task proved more difficult than I thought.  It was not finding shade that was the issue, but rather finding a shaded spot with an outlet, or within reach of the extension cord.  For this reason, I ended up in our utility garage.  I grabbed a little squat seat, plugged in the inflator and set about my task at hand.  I inflated a couple swim rings and a beach ball and moved on to a large raft.  

The large rafts take much longer to inflate and some of them have multiple sections to inflate.  As I was inflating the main section, I noticed it was having a hard time inflating and discovered that part of the float was folded over onto itself, preventing the air from reaching that part of the float.  Once I unfolded it, air rushed into that part, causing it to expand so quickly it knocked over a tote.  Then the expanding float bumped up against a box.  As the float continued to fill with air, it caused the box to slide along the garage floor.  

I marveled at the power the contained air had.  Just moments prior, the float was mostly flat, laying in a folded heap on the ground.  Now, it was full, pushing obstacles out of its way.  Without air, the float was useless and would not have been able to fulfill its purpose; it would have just sank to the bottom of the pool.  Filled with air, it is able to fulfill its purpose by floating on the surface of the water and would be strong enough to hold a person.  

Then a thought hit me like a gust of wind.  This is just like how the Holy Spirit works in a person.  Once one professes belief in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God’s Son, as their Savior, the gift of the Holy Spirit follows.  It is described as a gift, because that is just what the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is like, just as air is a “gift” to the raft, if you will.  

John 15:26 describes the Holy Spirit as a helper, which is what the Holy Spirit is to me: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”

The Holy Spirit helps me pray when I do not know what to say.  Romans 8:26-27 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Finally, the Holy Spirit brings me hope and comfort, as described in Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” 

Would an air-less raft be able to knock over a tote or move a box?  No way.  But add air, it is able to do both.  On my own accord, am I able to be filled with hope, power and words to pray?  No way.  But add the Holy Spirit and there is no limit what God can do through me.  The next time you see a float, remember the power that is out there for you to tap into just by professing your belief in Jesus Christ as your Savior. It is truly among the best gifts ever!