Go With The Flow

Today's current in the river was even stronger than yesterday's unusually strong current, so I went to the right and headed upstream. It took so much more effort today and I could feel myself quickly moving backward when I stopped to have a sip of water or to check out the turtle sunning itself on a limb. Once I reached a certain point, I decided to just turn around and go with the flow. I rested for a bit by sitting on my board and letting the current do all the work to carry me back to where I started.

Sometimes it's best to stop fighting against God and give it all over to Him, letting Him lead our lives out of the overflowing goodness of His heart.

Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, "Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.” (John 7:38)

Fins To The Left, Fins To The Right

Today when I was attaching the fin to my board before going out on the river, I heard behind me the voice of the SUP owner telling me to go to the right out of the harbor because the current was unusually strong today. (Going to the right would cause me to expend less energy at the end of my paddle when I would be more fatigued, making for a safer paddle.)

I really appreciated him looking out for me letting me know this before I got out there on the water. It made me think of the scripture Isaiah 30:21: "Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, 'This is the way you should go,' whether to the right or to the left."

And since the docks were being decorated for a Jimmy Buffet party later tonight, I also couldn't help but get Buffet's lyrics "fins to the left, fins to the right" stuck in my head! Was humming it up the river and back!

Don't Rock The Boat

So today I when I was out on my new SUP board, I was getting some fun waves off the boats passing by. I love how the board rocks with the waves and the challenge of staying on when they come.

As I was rocking up and down with the waves, I remembered a story my mom once shared with me about something that happened with her and her childhood best friend. They were probably about eight or nine years old at the time. My mom couldn't swim well and her best friend knew this and would sometimes tease her because of it.

One time, while in a canoe on a pond at the best friend's farm, the best friend stood up in the canoe and started dancing in it to make the canoe rock back and forth. My mom said she was doing it just to try to make my mom nervous. But guess who fell in the water? That's right, the best friend trying to rock the boat (a haughty spirit goes before a fall, Proverbs 16:18).

I hadn't thought about that story in a long time. It's been over 13 years since my mother passed away and I miss her so. 

Light And Narrow

After having done a lot of online research on SUP boards in the hopes of purchasing my own, I took the time to "test drive" a few today. The owner of the SUP place was so helpful and really took his time to answer all my questions and let me try out several boards.

One board in particular was really narrow and therefore was not as easy to stand on as the others, but the weight of it was lighter than any other board. After being on it for a little while, the SUP guy told me, "Not many people can ride that board. It's not for everyone."

This statement, and the fact that it is the narrowest of the boards, made me think of the scripture about the Narrow Gate:

Matthew 7:13-14
¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Choosing to be a Christian doesn't mean life suddenly gets easier. Everyone regardless of their faith experiences trials in life. But Jesus promises us this:

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

My new SUP board! I'm as happy as a bride who just found her wedding dress!

Remain Standing Tall

Today I got to go for a mid-week/after-work paddle. I was part of a group of about seven stand up
paddlers and got to try out some new turns on the board. While out on the river, a fishing boat with three boisterous guys came by. Our group overheard them saying, "Hey let's make 'em fall off their boards." They circled around us a few times trying to create waves in the hopes of knocking us off our boards, but no such luck for them. We all stayed standing. Little did the boaters know the boards we were on are made specifically for the surf, so handling their small waves was a piece of cake. Plus, we all have pretty good balance.

There will always be people who will try to knock you off your game or make you stumble and fall, but as long as you are properly equipped to handle it and keep a balanced outlook on life with Christ at the center, you can remain standing tall.

We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do...God hasn’t left our side. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (MSG).

Waiting On God's Perfect Timing

Today I was paddling on my own while one of my friends was taking the beginner SUP class. As I was heading into the river I noticed a man fishing from the river bank. Problem was, he had lost one of his fishing poles, and was using his remaining pole to try to fish the lost one out of the water. He wasn't having any luck as it kept getting further away from him. I tried to get it for him with my paddle, but the fact that I was heading downstream and would have to get into an area of shallow water to retrieve it, it just wasn't possible without falling off the board near some rocks. I apologized for not being able to help and continued on my way.

Later, as I turned around to head upstream back to the marina, I spotted the fishing pole. It had floated to a deeper area of the river where I was now able to easily maneuver my board and safely pull it out of the water. I tucked the pole under the cargo bungees and headed back to where I first found the fisherman, hoping he was still there. He was there, and was happy to see his fishing pole again. Because of its length, I was able to hand it over to him without getting too close to the shallow edges of the bank.

There are a lot of things in this life I want to find. Things I've lost, things I'm still looking for. But something I am at peace with is that it will happen in God's perfect timing. It will occur when it doesn't have to be forced. It will be at the right time and in the right place. The second time I saw the fishing pole, it was so much easier for me to get it because this time it was floating toward me instead of away from me. I didn't have to try to go after it.

Yes, paddling upstream exerts a little more energy and discipline, but when you're looking up toward God, you can see that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father (James 1:17). When you're looking down or heading in the wrong direction, or even spending time in shallow waters, you're likely to stumble and fall (Matthew 7:13-14).

Luke 5 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,^[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. ² He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. ³ He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
⁵ Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
⁶ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ⁷ So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” ⁹ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” ¹¹ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Stand Your Ground And Face The Waves

Today was my first solo paddle. It was kind of a last minute decision to go out because it had been raining all morning and looked like it would continue throughout the day. But once the sun came shining through in late afternoon, I couldn't stay inside much longer. I thought about going for a bike ride, but opted instead for a paddle (I'm so hooked!). So I hopped online to reserve a board and then headed over to the marina.

This time I went out later in the day when there are more boats out on the water, making the water a little more choppy. I actually like when the boats cause a lot of waves because it's kind of cool to feel the board rocking under my feet and to be challenged to stay standing on the board in the waves. I remembered what I was taught: turn your board toward the waves when they come and face them.

God doesn't promise us a trouble-free life with smooth sailing. Instead, there will be times of trials (John 16:33), but Jesus's presence gives us the peace to face those trials. We can put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) in order to stand against evil:

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist (NIV), and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (NLT)

The passage above came to mind when I was thinking about the gear required for SUP. Maybe this is a bit of a stretch, but I see parallels here:

• Belt pack life jacket :: belt of truth
• Board :: body armor of God's righteousness
• Ankle leash :: shoes of peace
• Sunscreen :: shield of faith
• Hat/visor :: helmet of salvation
• Paddle :: sword of the Spirit/Word of God

Even though I was out on the river by myself this time in rougher waters and stronger currents, I knew I was not alone nor unequipped. God is always with me, and always provides me everything I need.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. Isaiah 43:2

Keeping My Brain Focused On What's Deep, Not What's Shallow

Today was my second time paddle boarding. After the first time, I couldn't wait to get back out on the water. I took my friend Veronica who was a little nervous at first just like I was, but took to it very easily. Come to find out, she was experienced in snow and water skiing, so she really had nothing to be worried about.

While we were in the harbor about to go onto the river, I saw a few turtles swimming around and then I noticed something in the water that at first I thought was just a plastic bag. But when I looked closer, it looked more like either a jellyfish or even a brain! Well, I knew it couldn't be a jellyfish since we were paddling in fresh water (and I was really hoping it wasn't a brain!). I asked the SUP owner what it was and turned out it was a bryozoa (a colony of tiny animals that form jelly-like masses and filter particles from the water). I continue to be amazed by God's creation!

After we got out of the harbor, there's a little section you have to go through to get onto the river that is rather shallow on one side. The owner reminded me to not get too close to the shallow edge because I could run-aground and take a hard fall. I wasn't too worried about falling because, just like last time, I prayed for God to keep me on the board, and I was really starting to get into a groove with paddling this second time around. But I still appreciated the advice and heeded the warning.

I considered this advice in terms of my spiritual life, and remembered how, when I'm not spending time deep in the Word of God, I tend to focus on shallow things which can really throw my sense of peace off balance and off course. That's why I have to spend time every morning digging deep into the Word before I do anything else, to not just spiritually feed my brain, but to also filter out all the impure particles of messages that daily bombard our minds in our culture's media. I can always tell the difference in my sense of peace if I miss a day of God's Word, and therefore try not to do so.

I have also discovered just how peaceful SUP is. I'm not thinking about anything negative when I'm out on the water. I have a feeling this is going to become more than just an occasional past time for me!

Don't Look Down

I had decided this summer I was going to try stand up paddleboarding (SUP). After a quick search online, I found a place at the marina nearby that rents boards and offers a basics/beginner course, making the thought of trying it a little less intimidating. I invited a few friends to join me, but didn't have any takers, now making the thought of it a little more intimidating. But, I didn't let the fact that I would have to go solo stop me. I've been to the other side of the world by myself. I go hiking and biking by myself all the time. I could do this by myself. And besides, I knew I wouldn't be truly alone because God is always with me, and there would be some other newbies in the beginner class I could meet.

Not personally knowing anyone who has previously tried SUP, I wasn't sure if it was going to be harder than it looked or easier than it looked. Would I have the balance to get up and stand up on the first try? I mean, you're basically standing on water! I'm sure it's something that probably doesn't come naturally, at least not at first.

Despite how hot it was today, I didn't want to end up swimming with turtles in the Cumberland River if I could help it. So this morning before heading out to the marina I prayed, "Lord, please let me be able to get up on the board on the first try and stay standing up." (It's true you can pray anytime about anything!).

Not only did God answer that prayer, but through the process of the beginner's lesson, He showed me just how much this experience of learning SUP is a direct parallel to some of the lessons in His Word. For instance, just as I was about to stand up for the first time, the instructor told me to keep my focus on the horizon and don't look down or I would likely fall in the water. As soon as she said that, I immediately thought of the story of Peter when he walked on water with Jesus:

Matthew 14:22-33

^22-23 As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.

^24-26 Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.
²⁷ But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
²⁸ Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”
^29-30 He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!” (MSG)

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (NIV)

Peter started to sink because he took his focus off Jesus. One of the other things our instructor told us today was, "Your board will go where your eyes go." This is why it is so important for us to guard what we look at and watch. If we take our focus off of God and peer down the path of darkness and destruction, before we know it we're likely to be steering ourselves in that direction and heading down that road.

Take time like Jesus did to be by yourself and pray. Be like Peter and take a step in faith. Don't look down. Keep your eyes on God, and when you feel like you're sinking, reach out for Jesus's loving hand. He will catch you.