Unswerving, An Intentional Journey

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Teen wilderness canoe trip day 2.

Nine of us woke up before daylight, ate an instant breakfast, packed up our camp and began the longest day of any wilderness trip I have ever led. It was a day representing life. Mostly great mixed with pain tainted moments. Every teen ended up crying at some point before we set up camp in the dark. We crossed through two large bays into a fast-flowing river. By noon we had found a rocky island in the little river. A beautiful little place to stretch and eat something. We didn’t know this was a potentially deadly place. How could we?

I remember three things. Lunch was really good and the pop-up storm that hit without warning was really harsh. It was such a nice day that most of us had their raingear packed on the bottom of our huge packs. Lightening was continuous and close. I encouraged everyone to stand on a rock under small trees and not touch a tree or the roots. I was talking with two teens and then one just disappeared in the wicked storm. Evidently, he was standing in a puddle of water when lightning struck a tree about 50 yards away. We found him on the ground with no ability to speak or move in the harsh rain. Gradually his neurons and muscles started working. When he could finally move and talk, we were able to get him into a canoe when he was stable enough not to tip over the edge. We were a day’s travel to the nearest vehicle. It seemed best to find a place to camp. 9 miles later we found a campsite in the dark. “Grateful” was no longer a surface word for any of us that night. We didn’t know there would be a harder day ahead. How could we?

We all push out from shore each day to navigate life. Constantly reacting or making adjustments to the weather and seasons, we navigate life as a canoeist navigates a winding wilderness river. Deadheads, sandbars, rocks, rapids, sink holes, log jams and a host of unseen dangers blend with the beauty while the currents push us around the next corner.

I know something about swerving. I have an aversion to obstacles in life while my canoe seems to seek the unseen and unavoidable things. I also know something about studying the river ahead with a diligent eye, at least until I get distracted or get lulled into complacency. I have a lot of experience dumping the canoe, patching another hole, getting back in and shoving off into the current. I know I know…It’s my life, my canoe and like you I didn’t choose the river or the obsticles.

I know of many who seem content to make camp and never go further down the river spiritually. Some of my friends stand on their last wreck and demand that God apologize and explain why he does not remove the rocks we wreck upon in life.

It is my prayer that at the end of life, we will have a ton of stories to tell forever. Getting to where I want to be forever is an intentional journey. Jesus not only has the map, He ran the river and made the map. He says, “follow me”.

Gary