The Path

I haven’t kayaked in two years. It was time to get back in the saddle, and experience the joy of nature. It had rained the previous day, and the water level was higher than normal. As we traveled down the creek it was easy and exciting. Finally we stopped at the 3.5-mile mark to rest, drink water, eat some trail mix, then off we went. However, the return trip was a different adventure. It was easy to follow the flow, but when we went against the current, the path back was painstakingly exhausting. Finally I had to take a different route. Very often, when the water is rushing downstream, on the sides in many places are eddies. These eddies move in a circular motion producing a reverse flow going upstream. Rather than fight our way upstream, we decided to ride the eddies when possible. In the end, we made it back to the launch exhausted.

 
In life, it is easy to go with the flow. Very little effort is required. In fact, you don’t have to do much, just go with the flow and enjoy the majestic view. However, when you decide to go in a different direction, everything changes. The struggle begins. The tiring walk against the current of life begins to takes its toll. The strenuous pace of going against the flow becomes a burden for many. The path, which God wants us to follow, is not stress-free. Unlike the world, which takes the easy road, the Christian path has its struggles and difficulties. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13,14

 
In life, we need to find those eddies which help us on the Christian path. Those eddies come from different sources. Some come from the Bible. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105 Some eddies come from trusted friends. “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18 Other eddies come from life experience. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11 Other eddies come from observation.“Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” Proverbs 4:26

 
In life, God provides eddies to help us on the path of life. He doesn’t remove the struggle, but He provides a way to help us on our journey. He doesn’t remove the current; he provides a solution to help us get back to shore. Do we take advantage the eddies that God provides for us? Here are some words of wisdom “He has pointed out the way for us and marked it all along by His own footsteps. It is the path that He traveled, and we may, with Him, experience the self-denial and the suffering, and walk in this pathway imprinted by His own blood.” Counsels of Health p.48

 
May God bless you this Sabbath as we follow the path that He has for us.

 
Angel

 
Angel J. Rodriguez, D.Min

 
Houston Central – Senior Pastor