Points of Reference
“It’s smooth sailing all the way with God of the Angel Armies” Psalm 84:12 MSG
As I approach another birthday I’ve decided to do more outdoorsy things: flying, mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking. Ah, kayaking!
A friend took me out to the Vallejo Waterfront of the Napa River and we went kayaking. I had always wondered what it was like to navigate the waters between Vallejo and Mare Island and so we did. Now, I have kayaked before. Once in Puerto Rico, a night tour of bioluminescent life in Fajardo, other times camping, and other times in Albion. This river at a glance seemed like a piece of cake, I was in for a surprise.
The thing about kayaking is that good paddling synchronization and steering are basic to the experience. I knew that from the start and felt pretty confident about my competency. However, I didn’t account for the wind, the waves created by boat traffic, and other micro-climates occurring along the river. Off we went. We paddled and paddled and paddled and I gave it all I had. The struggle against the waves wasn’t too bad, the chilly wind was bearable. What was rather discouraging was not being able to measure progress. You see, as you travel from the boat launch site toward the Mare Island causeway the tendency is to focus on the causeway as your destination, and because it’s so far off, with the added wind, waves, crazy currents, the journey seems never ending.
Lesson 1: set short term goals as well as long term goals. If you focus only on your long term goals you will become discouraged. In life, we must set short term goals that are attainable, that we can celebrate, things that will encourage us to keep going. Learn to see both the big and small picture.
When we reached the causeway we realized something amazing; there is a micro-climate change from one side of the causeway to the other. The water is calmer, there’s less wind, and things get easier. However (this was amazing,) the currents at the causeway behave in such a way that if you become too relaxed and stop paddling you get pulled back into the rough part from where you just emerged.
Lesson 2: don’t rest in your laurels. Don’t think that just because you have arrived you will never slip back. No! Keep moving forward! There is a time for everything in life, including a time to relax, but be vigilant and know exactly where your currents pull you back. Pray without ceasing, be watchful and vigilant!
On our way back we decided to paddle closer to the edge of the river. What a difference! There was less wind, more favorable currents, and because our points of reference were now things and objects along the edge we felt like we were making progress. We were encouraged! I realized then that in life too, positioning makes difference. If you feel like your circumstances aren’t favorable, try to change your position. Your circumstances may not change but your perspective can change. And more importantly, get close to people who will build you up, encourage you, and help you reach your goals. You see, a temptation half-way through this kayaking experience would have been to give up and stop paddling, to just let the water do its natural thing. That would have been safe and painless, and although it would have taken us somewhere we would have never reached our destination.
So Lesson 3: change your position! It’s ok to wiggle. Find positive currents, look for the blessings. God will point you not just in the direction of progress but also in the direction of growth. Above all, fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith!
