Are You Caught in the Current? February 5, 2009

We watched as the people floated on their backs. They all moved in synch. The strong current pulled them down the river. The movement of the masses was so uniform it was almost undetectable. But as your eyes fixed on a stationary object on the riverbank, you noticed how quickly the people were being swept down the river. Everyone was expected to join in. It was the popular thing to do.

That may be a picture of life for many of us. We jump in with both feet, look around to see what everyone else is doing, and join in. And before we know it, the popular, cultural currents begin to sweep us down the river of life.

At first, simply floating along is a lot of fun. We enjoy the affirmation of our care-free companions who confidently convince us that “This is the Life!“

But eventually you begin to cramp and you realize the current is intensifying. You suspicion that you are in trouble. You struggle to stay calm, yet your emotions fluctuate between anxiety and anger. No one ever explained there would be long-term consequences for going with the flow! Why didn’t they mention the exhaustion, the frigid waters of night, and the reality that so-called friends wouldn’t think twice of pulling you under if it meant keeping their heads above water?

Naturally you begin to evaluate life. What am I doing? What’s the point of expending all this energy? Is it getting me anywhere? Where are all these people headed? Where am I headed?

Then you remember a Rock you passed along the way. It was solid. It was firm. It wasn’t at the mercy of the passing currents. It was strong. It was peaceful. You knew you needed to get back to the Rock. So you placed your feet on the river bottom and began to walk upstream. It wasn’t easy. With every step you felt the mighty pull of the popular current. You saw the cynical looks. You heard the mocking, sarcastic comments. You prayed for strength and kept focused on the Rock.

Almost magically, you sensed a rope fastening around your waist. Slowly, safely, gently the rope guided you to the Rock like a fisherman reeling in his prized fish, unwilling to let it go. You found yourself standing on the Rock looking around. You were used to seeing only above you, so you were surprised at the 360 degree panorama. Instead of seeing only the color of the sky, now your eyes were taking in a rainbow of colors, shapes, and textures. For so long, your ears were filled with water and you were unable to hear anything else. Now the soft song of creation and the whispers of the Holy Spirit echo in your ears. Your heart finally slowed to a healthy rhythm. Peace, joy, security, and love flooded your soul.

One day, you looked around and saw the uniform movement of the masses…downstream, headed for destruction. You remembered how it felt to be caught in the current and decided to offer your help. Since then you have spent your days lying on the Rock, extending your arm to all in need. Some quickly grab your hand and you are able to help pull them to safety. You can see in the eyes of others the desire to be saved, but they’re unable to stand up against the current. So you jump back into the waters, tethered to the Rock, and you go to them.

After one rescue mission, the light went on…everything clicked and you realized:

“THIS is really the life I’ve always longed for.”

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock and gave me

a firm place to stand.”

Psalm 40:1-2