paddling against the current
"But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,..." 2 Timothy 3:14
A few weeks ago our pastor preached on paddling upshore, using the analogy of canoeing against the current and how difficult our journey can be, and feels like a constant battle against the culture we live in, that wants us to go another way.
I agree with that, and as I was pondering that, I thought of a scripture I came across recently in my bible study, the one that talks about Paul being shipwrecked and coming ashore. (Acts 27) Paul knew there was an island to reach in the midst of the storm, but he didn't know which one. God knew. He knows where we are going, and where we are coming from. When we rise, when we sleep.
A lot of times in the middle of a storm, or paddling upstream, we are swept ashore as we fight the current. We push off hard with our paddles to get back into the river. Or we might stay ashore like Paul did to minister and receive caring from those on shore.
It's only by the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to do this. With Jesus in our boat, leading us on, being our strength. Knowing He will never leave us or forsake us. How often I have heard these words in my difficult walk over the last six months. Daily I have heard them as I have sought Him with all my heart.
His love is better than life. In the harsh realities I'm experiencing, remembering the Father showed His love for me by He giving up His son's life. Loving me was more significant than Christ's life. Even if I am the only person alive.
"The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand,..
Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." Deut. 7:7,8a and 9.
A few weeks ago our pastor preached on paddling upshore, using the analogy of canoeing against the current and how difficult our journey can be, and feels like a constant battle against the culture we live in, that wants us to go another way.
I agree with that, and as I was pondering that, I thought of a scripture I came across recently in my bible study, the one that talks about Paul being shipwrecked and coming ashore. (Acts 27) Paul knew there was an island to reach in the midst of the storm, but he didn't know which one. God knew. He knows where we are going, and where we are coming from. When we rise, when we sleep.
A lot of times in the middle of a storm, or paddling upstream, we are swept ashore as we fight the current. We push off hard with our paddles to get back into the river. Or we might stay ashore like Paul did to minister and receive caring from those on shore.
It's only by the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to do this. With Jesus in our boat, leading us on, being our strength. Knowing He will never leave us or forsake us. How often I have heard these words in my difficult walk over the last six months. Daily I have heard them as I have sought Him with all my heart.
His love is better than life. In the harsh realities I'm experiencing, remembering the Father showed His love for me by He giving up His son's life. Loving me was more significant than Christ's life. Even if I am the only person alive.
"The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand,..
Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." Deut. 7:7,8a and 9.