The Christian’s faith journey is often compared to a long hike, and people speak of climbing mountains, falling into the valleys, and clambering over boulders along the way. The analogy is pretty sound, and most of us can relate to the imagery, but I’ve always felt more of a call toward water travel. And no, it’s not just because I prefer floating to hiking, but honestly, who would walk when they could float? It may just be that I just associate hiking with blisters, chafing, and the occasional twisted ankle or wrenched knee, but I think my analogy holds water, too. (Sorry, I’m not usually “punny,” but it happens once in a while.)
So, how does the Christian faith journey compare to water travel? In the beginning of our journey, whether we started as children or as adults, I think we dipped our toes in the water, moved on to wading, and then, once we built up the confidence, jumped in and let the water engulf us. We might have started with an awkward prayer, opened the Bible and read a verse or two, and when we were ready, made the decision to follow Christ. I feel like I may have started out swimming, at least until I realized that the journey was a long one, and everyone else around me had a boat. Many, if not all, of us were uncomfortable charting our own course, and opted to travel with a guide, at least at the beginning. Sometimes, we helped paddle and even steer the boat, but often we just sat and expected others to get us down the river. We maybe attended church service, a Sunday school class, or a Bible study, but we relied on more experienced Christians to lead the way. At some point, we were ready to captain our own little vessel, and we grabbed a few friends and started off on our own adventure. We realized that our faith journey was more than simply floating along, and required our active participation in building a relationship with the Lord.
So how has your journey looked? Have you tried different water vessels or only one type? Did you stick to the smaller streams, spend time in the bigger rivers, or advance to open water? Did your river run dry, requiring you to carry your canoe over tracts of dry land, or did a strong current lead you miles away from everyone else? Did you have to manage rapids, dodge debris, or abandon a sinking ship? Did your boat flip? Has your journey been a pleasure cruise, with many friends cheering you on, or has it been a grueling solo excursion? Whatever your journey has looked like, and no matter what obstacles you have encountered along the way, know that God hasn’t simply allowed you to float along or float away. He has been there every moment of your journey, always leading you back to Him, and to the joy and peace that only comes from a deepening relationship with our Father.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”
Isaiah 55: 8-13
