A young man once went to the apostle Paul and expressed a desire to truly know Christ in every part of his being. To know Christ throughout his heart and soul, just as the apostle knew Him, and as he had urged in his letters for all Christians to know Him. Paul nodded his head understandingly and said, "I can show you the way to truly know Christ the way you want to know Him." He then led the young man to a nearby river. "Now come," said Paul, "follow me," and he started out through the water toward the center of the river. Farther and farther they waded out, until the young man, who was somewhat shorter than even the short apostle, was forced to stand on the tip of his toes to keep his head out of the water. He was puzzling deeply over all this, when suddenly the Apostle stopped, grabbed him forcefully by the hair, and shoved his head beneath the water. The young man struggled violently but he could not get loose from Paul's iron grip. Horrible thoughts raced through his mind: Had the teacher suddenly gone mad? Was he going to kill him? Was his young life to be already over? Was death the only way to truly know Christ? He grew weaker as his lungs burned for air. Sparks flashed before his eyes. His flailing hands became numb and heavy. Then at what seemed like his last moment of life, Paul pulled his head out of the water and stood silently by as he gulped in lungfuls of life-giving air. After a few minutes, when he had quieted somewhat, Paul asked him softly: "A moment ago, when your head was beneath the water, what did you desire more than anything?" "Air, master," gasped the young man. "I desired air more than anything." "Ah, yes," smiled Paul. "And when you shall desire to truly know Christ in every part of your heart and soul as much as you just desired air, then He shall reveal Himself to you."
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