Stop the Struggle!

Should you go against the current? I guess that depends on the direction of the current, the direction you want to go, and how much strength you have.

We didn’t have a second vehicle or someone to drop us off, but we still wanted to paddle the Current River. These two factors left us with only one option — to paddle our SUPs upstream!

“No problem,” we thought. “We paddled upstream at various springs in Florida.”

The plan was to paddle upstream as far as possible, then enjoy the drift downstream. It wasn’t long before we realized that the Current River lives up to its name. This was no lazy Florida spring. Our muscles burned as we paddled with focused determination, only to realize that we sat still in the current.

More often than not, the only option was to portage, or carry, our SUPs upstream along the bank. We dipped and ducked, dodging branches and bramble along the bank. After several hours and 5 1/2 miles, we had reached our breaking point and decided to enjoy our drift back down to the launching point.

Don’t get me wrong--there were several difficult spots as we headed downstream. We navigated rocks, fallen trees, and rapids. All of a sudden, Jenny and Caleb took a plunge in the frigid river after flipping in some rapids. It happened so quickly as I watched helplessly. One moment they were on top of their SUP, and the next moment they were in the water. Following from behind, Joshua and I guided their SUP to shore as Jenny and Caleb held on. We finally made it home safe and sound, albeit more wet than we anticipated.

Like our struggle on the Current River, most people are struggling to come to God in their own strength. They are following the teachings of Catholicism, Mormonism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, or some other religion to earn favor with God by doing good works or religious rituals. Despite their sincerest efforts, they are paddling upstream but making no progress, for God requires complete perfection in thought, word, and deed (Matthew 5-7).

This is impossible for us all and we all fall short (Romans 3:23). However, Jesus wants us to give up the struggle. He said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Jesus is calling you to “Repent and believe the Good News" (see Mark 1:15).

The good news is that Jesus lived the perfect life that you could not. He died on the cross in your place, taking the punishment for your sin. He was buried then defeated death by rising from the dead.

You don’t have to work to get to God; in fact, any attempt to do so is attempting to bribe the Judge of the Universe (Psalms 7:11). Because Jesus paid your fine, God can extend grace and mercy so that you can be saved from His wrath. Stop trying to do your own thing and simply trust Jesus to save you on Judgment Day.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

Video by Paul Venturo