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On June 10, 644 swimmers began the challenge of swimming 4.4 miles from Sandy Point State Park on the Western Shore to Hemingway Mariner on the Eastern Shore, as part of an annual fundraiser. 

Some had participated in the event since its inception, while others, such as myself, would be first time participants. There were varying attitudes, dispositions and emotions expressed: anxiousness, confidence, impatience, reflection, competitiveness, loneliness, self-examination and fear.

For the months leading up to the Bay swim, I continued my routine of an early morning swim workout. Once a week, I would swim continuously for 3.5 to 4 hours. 

On the day of the event, after the swim director gave us the rules, the gun sounded at 9:30 a.m. The first wave of swimmers with orange caps entered the water. Fifteen minutes later the faster, yellow-capped swimmers began the race.

Swimmers were moving at a pace like a bunch of piranhas moving in upon a potential meal. Those I got into the way of just swam right over me. A few times I was hit by flinging arms and was almost kicked in the face. 

Visibility in the water was very low. Currents were strong. While getting on course between the bridge spans, the second wave of yellow-capped swimmers came. I tried to avoid being run over. 

It was then I questioned within myself, 'What in the world am I doing out here, a 64-year-old senior citizen?' As I continued to swim, Philippians 4:13 came to my mind: 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'

In spite of the other, more proficient swimmers who passed me by, I was going to keep going because I knew the Lord had not brought me this far to leave me.

Another Scripture came to my mind as I continued on the journey to the Eastern Shore: 'When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you?' (Isaiah 43:2). I felt a sense of God's presence and renewed energy. 

Two-and-a-half hours had elapsed. A kayaker came along side me. He told me a food boat was up ahead. Upon arrival, I was given a piece of  banana and two cups of water. I asked someone on the boat, 'How far am I?' He replied, 'You are at three miles!'

Swimming to the exit point from the course under the bridge span seemed to be the most difficult. There were moments when I felt as though I were swimming in place.

Having passed that certain point under the south span of the bridge, I heard the kayaker say, 'Congratulations, you made it! There's the beach. Swim toward it.'

Finally, I could see the race director waving her hand to me. Just at that point, my right hand went down in a pulling motion and I touched the bottom and pulled a handful of mud. The swim was over! Thanks be to God!

Though I was third from last completing the race, I am thankful to the Lord for the experience. My time was 3 hours, 54 minutes and 6 seconds.

Among the lessons I learned are:

• Life is similar to swimming through the Bay waters ? the way may be drear and unclear but God is present with us on the journey.
• As servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, there will be occasions when we must swim alone against the currents, jetties and turbulent waters around the structures and rocks of injustice and systemic sin.
• In this great swim of life we have to do some course correcting in order to get to our eternal destination.
• In the waters of life, the race is not given to the swift but those who endure.

The Rev. George F. De Ford serves  Metropolitan/Indian Head Cooperative Parish.