Get ready for the ride of your life....
 

Riding the Rapids
June, 2002

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." Isaiah 43:2

As I approached the first rapid, my heart was pounding. It's called Devil's Hole and has been known to suck a raft in and not remember to spit it back out. There was a large breaking wave on the right-hand side. I HAD to miss that wave! With great skill and expertise (and bated breath!) I maneuvered around it, plunging the raft safely through the Class V rapid.

Suddenly a large whirlpool twirled along the left side of my boat, sucking the front of the raft down below water level. I was fortunate to stay upright. I've seen boats flip in whirlpools.

I plowed through the next stretch of river like a bronco rider, being pitched up and down, back and forth, submerging, then emerging once again.

Just when I could see the large crowd gathered along the shore to cheer me on, my raft disappeared into the hollow of two rapids. The bow dove into the churning mass, bending the craft at its center. I struggled to stay afloat, completely submerged, then shot up out of the water like a rocket! Victory was mine, and the crowd cheered wildly as I passed by.

With the sound of the rapids still roaring in my ears, I switched off the video game, ending another exciting adventure on the river.

Aren't there times we wish the Christian life was like that game — all the thrill and excitement without any of the training, experience, and hard work? We want the joy of being close to God without the discipline of spending daily time with him. We want our small groups and other ministries to change lives without time spent in planning, prepping, and prayer. But we must — unlike me and my video game — get our feet wet. We can't experience the abundant life Christ offers if we only view it from afar! We must plunge in and ride the rapids of this exhilarating — and yes, sometimes exhausting — life.

The good news is that we aren't floating in that boat alone. Christ — the water of life, the peace that passes all understanding, the only guide we'll ever need — is with us. With him at the helm, we're in for the ride of our life!

Dive in with me!
 

Beginning in July Mercydrops in conjunction with Veritas Christian Network will be offering an opportunity for you to "plunge in" and experience the thrill that comes from partaking of the living water!  Isn't it time you were involved in a serious study of God's Word?  Sign up today!  Classes are forming now for July.

copyright 2002, veritas christian network