Toil in Rowing

I love how the Lord teaches me.  He knows me and understands that we all hear and feel the spirit in ways that are unique to us.  One way He teaches me is through life experiences.   

Last year we joined our son Sam, Lacey and family for some fun time in Yellowstone National Park and surrounding areas of interest. One place included some rapids in Montana.  I had so much fun on this whole trip!  It was so nice to have a break from the stress of every day life and being with loved ones.  

When it was time to return home and get back to the grind, I was reading in Mark 6 and came across verse 48 which says:

  "And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them:"  

It seemed to me that we were really having to "toil in rowing" in our every day life.  I pondered upon that verse reflecting  on our experience in the raft. Here are a few lessons I learned from our rafting experience relating to these verses.  

As we prepared to go down the river and face the rapids, we were first given some protective gear to wear that would help protect us if we were to fall out of the raft.  Then as we prepared to to take off on our raft, we were given safety instructions.  Sit in a certain place, keep your feet tucked in here, hold your paddle this way, do this and do that, but here is the key warning for safety, Whatever you do follow the directions of your guide and you will return back here safely.  

Oh how I love that message.  They taught us some basic rules we needed to follow, but reassured us that following our guide would be the key to returning safely.  

Part of what our guide did was remind us to do what we had received instructions on, the other part was this: when she said paddle once, you paddled once.  When she said lean this way, we leaned that way.  When she said stand we stood.  If she said this side only paddle, then that side paddled.  Whatever direction she gave, we followed.  She knew exactly where the rapids were and where we were in regards to the rapids coming so she knew from her experience what direction to give us.  Those in other rafts may approach the rapids from a different location so their instruction may have been a little different from ours, but all were directed according to the needs at the time.   It was a wonderful opportunity to work together and to listen for what we needed do to.  At one point however, though we followed her directions, we did get stuck on a large rock.  Now I saw it coming, and because I had canoed through rapids before my instinct was to put my paddle out and push away from the rock as we approached it.  However, I figured our guide knew best so I resisted the urge.  Once we were stuck,  the direction given was to sit still and follow her instructions as she moved from her spot and went over to get us off the rock and we did just that all safe and sound. 

There were times when the water was calm and we could just sit and enjoy, but our guide was quietly in the back of the boat using her paddle to turn us, or slow us or just keep us on track,  but when the rapids came we put our paddles in and toiled in rowing ...so to speak!  

Life is so much like this.  The Lord has given us armor to help keep us safe and gives us direction all through the water whether calm or rapid.  He knows when the rapids are coming and will prepare us and help us to row when we need to row and lean when we need to lean.  If we get stuck on a rock, he will come to us and help remove the rock from preventing our forward movement. Rapids do and will continue to come.   They come in all sorts of ways that cause us to have to put our paddles in and row like crazy so that we can come out victorious. 

Now here is a great part.  After navigating our way through each rapid, our guide would say "High five with your paddles every one."   We did it!  We made it through and we did it as a team!  

Isn't life like that?  We make it through and we need to High Five our success as we go along. 

Oh how I love how the Lord teaches me and helps me see life experiences as an opportunity to apply it to my life and His teachings. 

Following the commandments will help keep us navigating our way in safety. 

So keep your life jackets and helmets on, listen to your guide(s) and HIGH FIVE whomever you need to as you travel down life's flowing waters.  Our Father in Heaven is our guide.  He has been there, done that and can help us safely navigate our way back home!

Following the commandments will help keep us navigating our way in safety. 

Toil in rowing especially when the wind is contrary, but be of good cheer, the wind will cease!

Mark 6:48-51

48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.