One thing I love to do outdoors in the summer is go canoeing down a river. The exercise, the fresh air, and the sparkling water is exhilarating. I'm the type that likes to keep the canoe moving. And if you have any amount of experience in canoeing, you know that some places in the river move faster than others.
It makes me think of the Christian life. There are fast and exciting times when we can see God working in amazing ways, rough times when every ounce of strength is on the stretch and we crave Divine power. It is in these whitewater experiences that our faith in God grows, our connection with Him strengthens.
We are inspired, our hearts ignite.
But friends, lulls come in every Christian life. Times when things just don't seem to be moving forward and nothing special is happening. It is in these times that we are in danger of becoming indifferent, of losing our focus...
in danger of forgetting what we are here for and where we are going.
A warm and sandy bank beckons us to stop and take a break, and let the lazy waters pass by. Will we stop? Will we get distracted? Will we lose our faith?
This is where the depth of our connection with God shows. Friends, we can't expect that we will stay inspired with our hearts on fire if we don't maintain a steady, moment-by-moment communion with our Lord. In this day of Facebook and texting, people stay connected. Constantly exchanging words no matter where they are and what they are doing. Can't we do that with God? He loves to hear from us just as much as our friends do. Is it enough to say a prayer in the morning and before we go to bed? Are we staying connected?*
Friends, let's keep our eyes on Jesus; let's stay connected with Him as we "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." **
Through the whitewater and the calm water,
Let's keep paddling!
* John 15:4-6
** Phil. 3:14
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