Lessons from my Rafting Experience!

While on vacation, my family and I tried out a new experience together.  We went whitewater rafting as a family and had an absolute blast.  While on our adventure, there were a few lessons that crossed my mind that apply to my journey with Christ.

The first lesson had to do with the river itself.  While on our journey the river had many different twists, turns and levels of rapids.  There were portions of absolute calm where the kids hopped out of the raft and gently floated down the river and other portions where we hit level four rapids and the kids (and I) held on for dear life.  It just reminded me of what life is really like.  We would love for it to always be calm and yet there are all sorts of seasons that God allows us to live through.  "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

The second lesson had to do with our river guide.  I could not imagine going down that river without him.  As we approached some of the rapids, his ability to give us instruction and navigate our boat kept us safely afloat and on course.  Just as I could not imagine going down that river without our guide, I could not imagine going through life without Christ Jesus as my Shepherd.  He is there to lead, protect, teach and walk with me through every season (twist/turn) of life. (John 10:1-18)

The final lesson had to do with our need on the raft to listen and act upon our guides instruction.  As we got aboard and prepared to head down river, our guide gave us three simple instructions.  Our only task was to listen for and then act upon his instruction to us.  Failure to do so could lead to trouble on the river.  How true for us as we live out our lives for Jesus.  He simply asks us to trust Him, listen to Him and then act in obedience upon His instruction to us. (1 John 2:1-6)

How wonderful to live out our lives in the Lord Jesus Christ as our ultimate guide in life no matter what part of the river journey we find ourselves currently on!