It seems to me that God sometimes uses the most unexpected moments to make a point or teach a truth. Such was the case for me while I was on vacation last week. And of all the things God might use for an object lesson for me…God used a paddle board and some waves. Let me tell you the lesson made real to me.
Some of you may not know what a paddle board is. It basically looks like a surfboard, but a paddle board tends to be longer, wider, and thicker. A surfboard is intended to be propelled forward by riding the movement of an ocean wave. A paddle board is propelled forward by a person on the board using a paddle to stroke the water, thus moving the paddle board forward.
Nancy and I started paddle boarding about 10 years ago when we were living in North Dakota. We actually bought a couple of paddle boards and still have them. So, whenever we go to the lake in Minnesota, a popular destination point for us each August, we always take our paddle boards along.
Now paddle boarding is fun, but it also takes some balance, coordination, and experience. One basically stands on a long and narrow piece of wood in the water and uses a long paddle to maneuver around on the water. Paddle boarding can be a bit tricky because of the various forces upon the paddle board in the open water, such as the wind and other boats, jet skis, etc. that are also cruising around the lake creating ripples and waves that can impact the movement and the stability of the paddle board and the balance of the person on the paddle board.
So, last week there were several times Nancy and I were paddle boarding, cruising across the lake or around the island that we camp on. On one of our trips a big boat zipped by us creating a big wave. “Oh, this could be trouble,” I thought to myself. But I did what you’re supposed to do to handle waves on a paddle board; you flex your knees or get low on the board, and you head directly into the wave. I did all that and was able to ride through the waves without too much problem.
Just a bit later I was standing up on the board, taking in all the beauty of God’s creation around me, when all the sudden my paddle board began to wobble. I was totally caught off guard by a small wave or wake from a boat that was actually quite some distance from us. But that small wave hit my board broadside, so there I was rocking on a three-foot-wide board in the middle of a lake. I thought I was going in the water. However, I managed to keep my balance and stay on the paddle board, but I was reminded to always keep an eye on the surface of the water and stay aware of what is going on around me…even at a distance.
The object lesson I feel God was pointing out is that quite often it isn’t the “BIG” sins that trip us up in this journey of faith. You know, the big sins like murder, robbing a bank, stealing a car, something big like that. Rather the things that most often trip us up and throw us (or at least me) off balance are the little things – the small unexpected “waves” in life, such as… My eyes lingering on something they shouldn’t. My mind dwelling on something not appropriate. Participating in an unhealthy discussion or saying something hurtful that didn’t need to be said. There are all sorts of “little things” that come along and if I/we aren’t diligent or staying alert, it is likely to be those small unexpected moments that throw us off track in our walk with God.
Now that I’m home, the paddle boards are put away for the time being. But the object lesson of the waves…that is still with me. Maybe this is a principle that speaks to more than just me. May we all beware and be aware of the little ripples and waves on the journey of life. After all, many of the BIG sins in life quite often have their beginning in the little ripples of life-events that slowly pull us away from our connection with God. Paul’s words to the Jesus Followers at Corinth are so fitting for us/me yet today. “Keep alert; stand firm in the faith; be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” I Corinthians 16:13
Pastor Keith