Swimming Upstream

I recently had the privilege of going on a retreat with my 3 sisters. It was a wonderful time together in a cabin in North Georgia. We were able to relax, fellowship, eat, share, pray, play games and much more. What a blessing it was to have that time with them. Each day we would sit on the deck and watch the river flowing behind the cabin. One day we begin to hear what sounded like a goose making it’s natural honking noise. We started looking and there it was. Right out in the middle of the river was a goose trying to swim upstream. First, we wondered what in the world the goose was doing out there. Then we wondered why he was trying to swim upstream and was getting nowhere. It was as if he was just treading water. You could tell he was so tired and needed rest. He finally made his way to the shore. We gave him some bread to eat and watched him. He walked back and forth along the shore looking at the water. He stayed on shore all night and into the morning. The next morning as we watched him it was as if he knew he needed to get back in the water but didn’t know what to do. With a little encouragement from us and a broom, we helped him back into the water. What do you think he did? Yes, went right back out to the middle of the river and turned upstream again trying to swim. Again,  no progress was made and he grew tired. We left and went into town and when we returned he was gone. I trust he finally gave up and swam downstream until he could get where he wanted to go.

I cant help but think of how many times I have been floating along in this life and all was going well. Then all of a sudden I find myself trying to swim upstream. Sometimes it was because I had taken a different path then God wanted me to. A path that looked to me like it would be a lot easier then the one God had said. A path that looked like a shortcut. But as usual, it was a hard path, an uphill climb, or an upstream fight. I would swim and swim or fight and fight but get nowhere. I was running in place just like the goose was treading water. I would continue on until I was exhausted and finally collapsed. It was then God would whisper, “Are you ready to do it my way now?” And when I would finally decide His way is best and get in the flow of things, my life was so much better.

But then there were also times I would find that upstream was the path God had for me at that time. It wasn’t always the easy path or the short cut, but it was the path that kept me in the perfect will of God. It was a path that helped to mold and make me. A path that helped me learn how to trust God and lean on Him and not my own understanding. There were even times others would be floating by me going downstream very easily while I was struggling to go upstream. It was okay though, as long as I kept my eyes focused on what God had for me.

I have learned a lot in both of these upstream experiences. As I am sure you have been through many as well. But my heart’s desire is that from this point on any time I find myself struggling and fighting against the flow that I will know it is because that is how God is directing me. I know if that is where He is leading me then He will be right there with me. He will strengthen me, uphold me, and not cause me to be there any longer than necessary. It will be a learning experience and I will be a better Christian because of it.

If you find yourself swimming upstream, I must ask you, is that the direction God is leading you or is it because of your own doing? Determine that and then you will know if you need to turn around or just keep paddling. God will help you and you will make it!

Rese

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