The Wave Beneath My Boat. . .

While kayaking a few days ago, we encountered some rough water with big swells and waves.

(To read the story of that trip click here.)

I was grateful we were traveling with the waves instead of against them. We have done that and it is hard work for recreation.

As I paddled in the water, I could feel the stronger waves pick up the end of my little kayak. At that point I would paddle as forcefully as I could. My effort combined with the effort of the wave, would push me far in the water. Once the wave was past, I would paddle my normal stroke until I felt another wave at my stern.

Immediately I thought the words of Jesus, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."(John 5:17) The dynamic of our lives as Christians should follow the pattern of His earthly life. We do not do all the work ourselves. God does not do all the work for us. It is our working through the Lord Jesus Christ. I paddle and the wave pushes. We work together.

There have been times in my life when I wanted the Lord to completely override me and do things for me which I felt totally incompetent to do in and of myself. There have been other times when my self-sufficiency has overcome me and I have run out ahead of God and done things by myself, completely apart from His Will and working.

Our life with the Lord is a union, compared to a Head and a body, and a husband and wife. We trust Him for the wisdom, strength and will. We believe that He works in us "both to will and to do of His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13) He is always the wave beneath our boat, and we just keep faithfully paddling.

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ;
to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen."
Hebrews 13:20