We floated down a river with some extended family this weekend.
It was an awesome ride..... moments worth reflecting on and worth sharing.
As we started down the river, we were all grouped tightly together. Even though we were in the same current, some floated with ease down the river as others got stuck or were moving along at a much slower pace. It didn't take long for distance to quickly grow between us all. Our group now spanned a good section of the river.
It was a beautiful winding river, you couldn't quite see what was too far up ahead. The ones who were in the lead shouted cautions to those lagging behind, helping them to guide them around the obstacles up they could see up ahead.
Sometimes you couldn't see the obstacles, but they were there nonetheless. Lurking just beneath the water, boulders eager to be bruising landmines or tall grasses determined to snare you. Other times they were more obvious. Overgrown or down trees, branches stretching out to entangle you. Large rocks peeking out above the water, warning of the danger below. Some were easier to navigate around than others.
Most of the time, though, the ride was absolutely glorious. Smooth waters, gentle current, slight breeze, warm sun, a balance of good company, conversation, reflection, and solitude, all in a beautiful serene setting. Family all around to help work together if you needed it.
Arms and legs sprawled over tubes warm from the sun. Sunglasses and hats.... some more "interesting and secure" than others. Shoes off, shoes on, shoes as paddles, shoes lost. Toes and fingers reaching for other tubes, linking together. Smiles..... glorious smiles.
At one point there was a lone tube, stuck in a huge down tree. No one was there to help them. They had quite the job ahead of them to get around what had entrapped them. No one could help them without risking popping their own tubes, and it made me think of this. It made me glad to be floating with my family.
And then came the rapids......
All the recent flooding and heavy rain sure helped bustle us right along. What an adventure! Shoes lost, tubes flipped, water soaked, knees and toes cut, giggles and shivers. I think over half our group landed at our exit point either bloody or bruised. (I personally couldn't even stand up on the slippery rocks, because I was giggling at a certain aunt upstream who was desperately trying to remount her capsized tube.... most likely weakened by the same terrible giggling disease I have.)
Our river journey finally came to an end.
We gathered again together. Sharing stories, triumphs, giggles, hugs, shivers, comparing battle bruises and wounds. We discussed how to navigate the current, rapids, and landing more successfully next time. A determination to conquer the next adventure met a sadness for those who missed out.
The only posted danger sign along the way was for the rapids, but many other things were obstacles nonetheless. It could have been a boulder or tree, or perhaps a change in current, a gust of wind, a cloud, a sandbar, long reeds, litter, slippery rocks, fear, or isolation.... they all sure seemed inconvenient and quite unpleasant at the time.
But they didn't matter anymore. It didn't matter how much pain they caused. It didn't matter the trial or circumstances we had faced. What mattered was we all landed on the shore safely to walk away together.
Eager to move on to what is ahead..... together.
This river reminded me of life.
This river reminded me of family.
We start off this journey as a family, neatly grouped all together. The current of life happens, and distance of some nature is inevitable. We are all in the same journey together, but we take different paths at different speeds. Many times we are out of reach, other times too close for comfort.
Just like the river, we do not know what is up ahead of us. There are some things in life that have obvious warning signs, and but there are many other hidden things that are just as dangerous. Things that slow us down, or entrap us. There are constant threats in this life, and we all need guidance to navigate it well.
Many times those who have gone ahead of us shout words of caution to those headed toward similar obstacles, hoping to be a guide away from danger or pain. And, although most of our journey may be smooth, from time to time we all face unforeseen and inevitable obstacles along the way. It is in these moments that working together is essential.
Floating that river alone would not have been half as fun, and certainly would have been far more dangerous.
Above all else, one thing is certain for us all.
All of our journey's come to an end. Family meets us there, despite the distance along the way. Stories are shared, battle scars and wounds are exposed.
You may be wondering what this has to do with following Jesus.
My answer is........ absolutely everything
You see even though our journey down the river was complete, we faced one specific problem. We got off on the wrong side of the river. Across the swiftly moving post rapid current and full of slippery dangerous rocks, on the other side of the river was the pick up spot where a shuttle would deliver us safely home. After the trouble we had just standing up in the water near the edge, all of us knew there was no way we were going to be able to cross over the river on our own strength. There was nothing we could do.
Thankfully, someone had provided a way. I was so busy enjoying the ride, I had completely missed it. I had floated right under it. There just behind us, spanning high over the river was a walking bridge.
I love bridges. They are marvelous and full of wonder. A marvel deeper than knowing that man was able to connect two pieces of land together for so many to cross. A wonder deeper than being a gateway to a new place to discover. Deeper yet. A soul deep wonder. They cause me to marvel at The Bridge that was built, provided, and gifted to me in Christ. The Bridge that no man can build, no enemy can destroy, and has the ability to set all things right.
So on that river's edge, we did the only thing left to do at the end of a journey. One by one we crossed safely over the bridge, and began our way home... together.
Just as fast as our river journey passed........
We hugged together.
We applied sunscreen together.
We mounted tubes in the cool water together.
We peed together.
We floated together.
We talked together.
We listened together.
We contemplated together.
We giggled together.
We grinned together.
We shivered together.
We adored creation together.
We soaked up rays together.
We rode the rapids together.
We bruised our bottoms together.
We wiped out together.
We cut our toes together.
We ate wild berries together.
We rode a bus together.
We picnicked together.
We threw a Frisbee together.
We shared old memories together.
We watched our men nearly die on a waterslide together.
We hugged one another little tighter together.
We said goodbye together.
Just as fast.....the journey of life also quickly comes to an end.
And when it does, the only thing that really truly matters is that we all have found The Bridge that delivers us safely home, together........ forever.
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