Before we ever arrived at the fast-moving stream pictured at the top of this post, we could hear the roar of the rushing river. About a quarter of a mile from our destination, we began to hear the distinct sound of moving water…softly at first, kind of like a gentle breeze…then as we neared the stream along the winding woods trail, the sound like a gentle breeze turned into more of a stormy gust and then to an absolute roar similar to LSU’s Tiger Stadium when they score a touchdown (especially against Alabama!). It was deafening to the point that simple communication required a shout.
Of course the 3 teenage boys I had brought along for the trip were eager to jump in and test out their strength against the power of the pool! Now let me explain the context of this stream…Straight out of the side of a mountain pours a huge spring. The flow of water is so immense that when the water meets the river about a half mile away, it literally doubles the size of the river. Those boys were overwhelmed at the sheer force of the water that poured from the mountainside. This spring releases over 9 million gallons of water each day…over 150 thousand gallons each minute…over 25 hundred gallons per second! Add to the amount of water the fact that it is ice-box cold, and you see why the water was just more than my guys could handle.
As I watched those boys be boys in nature’s playground and swimming pool that day, a million applications of their scenario to life in general flooded my mind. Allow me to share a few…
- The noise of the water canceled out the whispers of nature we had been hearing, and if we allow it to, the noise of a hectic life will cancel out the voice of God in our lives.
- The force of the water was greater than the boys expected. Sometimes life throws things at us that can knock us for a loop unexpectedly.
- The water was so cold that it put my guys’ muscles into shock mode. From time to time, events will hit us so hard and suddenly that it renders us unable to function.
- The beauty of the spring concealed the danger it held. Sometimes the most appealing things in life are dangers in disguise.
I could go on and on, but you get the point. Life hits us like rapids sometimes. One moment we’re enjoying the clear blue sky, and then out of left field something hits us and our peaceful world falls apart. The words of Jesus prove true in these instances – in this world you will have tribulation. -John 16:33. The bests news, however, is the follow up phrase in that same verse – but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!
My guys made it out of the rapids that day safe and sound, but with experiences and war wounds that will have them better prepared for the next set of rapids they come across. Like them, let us learn from all the rushing waters of life that come our way, and let us make it a point that each time we encounter difficulty and overcome, we learn the valuable lessons that will prepare us for the next go-round. Now, whether along a peacefully flowing stream or in the midst of some rocky rapids, learning lessons all the while – I’ll see you…in the Great Outdoors!
Rod & Staff Outdoor Ministries 