As I am writing this lifeblog, I am also finalizing preparations for our annual youth whitewater rafting trip.  This probably means that as you read this, we will be challenging the mighty Klamath with close to 100 students for our largest raft camp ever.  Since my mind is in complete raft camp mode, you shouldn’t be surprised that I will use our trip as a backdrop for this blog and to illustrate a biblical truth.

At raft camp, we usually have 8 students to a boat and a river guide who helps us navigate through such rapids as Rattlesnake, Junior High Destroyer, Devil’s Toenail, Otter’s Playpen, and the Slot.  In order to make it through safely, the guide will issue such commands as “Forward” to paddle forward, “Back Paddle” to paddle backwards, and an occasional “Right Forward” where the right side goes forward and the left side goes backwards.  The largest rapid we encounter is Dragon’s Tooth where the guide will often yell out a slightly different command: “PADDLE HARD”.

I like the fact that as the rapids get larger, there is more work to be done.  When everyone paddles hard, it is amazing to see how such a large rapid can become so easy to navigate.  However, rather than paddling hard, a common tendency is to stop paddling and jump to the middle of the boat out of fear from falling in.  Herein lies one of the great mysteries of rafting.  If you position yourself on the edge of the raft—right on the brink of falling in—you actually have a better chance of staying in the boat.  On the other hand, those who believe they are sparing themselves by giving up and hiding in the middle tend to find themselves getting flipped out of the boat that is now at the mercy of the rapid.

It sure sounds quite similar to our Christian walk.  As obstacles, trials, and rapids stand in our way, we shouldn’t cower under the pressure but listen to our spiritual guide who is commanding us to “PADDLE HARD”.  What looks like danger is actually the route to safety and vice-versa.  In Acts 27, Paul had prophesied that the prison ship he happened to be on would be shipwrecked.  As several of the men proceeded to lower the life boats to escape, Paul told them the only way they would survive would be to remain on the larger ship that was about to be destroyed!  The route to safety actually meant impending danger and impending danger meant safety.  As difficulties come our way, we shouldn’t attempt to hide or avoid the difficulty; instead it is time to “PADDLE HARD”.

Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”  Jesus will be with you.  In fact, in order to find Him, it is necessary that we pass through the rivers and walk through the fires.  Some people never find Him because they avoid the rapid or flee to safety.  Instead, we should follow the Holy Spirit’s guide and “PADDLE HARD”.