Paddling Upstream?

   Al’s special birthday request this year was to go canoeing on Lake Success, something we both enjoy doing but had put off for several months. When the morning before his birthday dawned bright and clear, we decided that it was the perfect day to take the canoe out on the lake.

   The drive there was short and pleasant, with beautiful views of green foothills covered with bright mustard flowers and the snow-covered Sierras in the background. Snow in the Sierras and water in the lake…great answers to the prayers of many people! Praise God!

    As we paddled away from the boat ramp towards the middle of the lake, most of the debris which had collected near the shore disappeared and small waves lapped against the side of our little vessel. There were only a few boats spread out over several acres of water, giving the feeling of having it all to ourselves—except for the birds, hundreds of birds, including coots, grebes, sea gulls, white pelicans and a variety of ducks.

   We were especially interested in seeing the pelicans, large stately birds with dipper-like beaks, each one having a noticeable bumpy protrusion on the top of its beak. They didn’t appreciate the approaching red canoe however, and quickly swam away, flying in a line over the surface of the water, then landing gracefully in a more secluded area.

   There was quite a loud chorus of bird calls which drowned out all other sounds, except for an occasional roar of a motor boat or the voices of fishermen as their vessels drifted near the shore. Otherwise, there was a feeling of solitude and a sense of freedom from the demands of civilization.

     Al wanted to see how far we could go up the main fork of the Tule River which was on the eastern edge of the lake. We leaned into the current, pulling harder on the paddles. It wasn’t long before we could hear the rushing sound of the river. At this point the current became quite strong. The water was shallow and filled with boulders, so we decided to turn around and make our way back to the boat ramp. Our arms were tired after the workout, especially going upstream.

    Paddling upstream? Sometimes it feels like we are doing that, especially when things aren’t easy or when society seems to be going against us. It takes much strength and perseverance when going against opposition and being ridiculed by those passing us on their way downstream. This happened to Jesus when he saw that the trend of his day was to turn sections of the temple previously dedicated for prayer and worship into places of commerce and personal gain.

   Dear Father, Please give us the strength, courage and wisdom needed to follow Jesus in these difficult times. Help us to always be faithful to you, even if it means paddling upstream. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

 “When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” John 2:13-16 NIV