Picture This.

            Each of us is treading water in a river, each in an space that moves with the different currents, some fast some slow and maybe some even just spinning around in the same spot caught in an eddy. The waters in which we find ourselves are the trials and tribulations in which we all seem to become stuck in from time to time in our lives, the demons that we find ourselves facing every day. We fight to keep our heads above the waters of our everyday lives. We are being pushed along by these different currents having to deal with our different problems at different times.

            But, in dealing with all this stuff all the time we are unknowingly gaining strengths and knowledge that up till now we haven’t had or needed before. Perhaps some gaining enough to be able to help others that might flow into the current that is life. Helping others that may be having the same or similar struggles but as yet haven’t gained sufficient strength or stamina to survive. In this river called life.

            In keeping our heads above the water we are able to and should be keeping our eyes focused on God above, listening to Him as He tries to direct us to the final destination, the place He wants or needs us to go.

            Perhaps just coming to shore might be the destination of some but others may be following the river right to the end.

            Only God knows, only He can see the river right to its end. Only He has the ability and knowledge to understand fully and decide where or when this journey for each of us will end, or perhaps even to begin another.

            It is only when we make the decision to stop treading the water, when we give up the fight for survival that we can lose sight of God and drown in life. Losing sight of God is death. The end of everything and everybody. We must tread the water to survive and in doing so we become strong enough to fight those currents that push us and pull us where we might not want to go. Strong enough to fight and live.

            With this acquired strength we will grow both as individuals and as a group and God will lead us into shallower waters where we can beat the currents and overcome.

            We can finally come ashore with our families and friends, up out of the waters of trouble, coming ashore to where Jesus is waiting with a towel and a hug. Waiting for us to begin the new life with Him, a new life out of the water.