I was in a kayak a few days ago, exploring a couple of different bays in a lake. Such was the lake that when I was in one bay, I couldn't see another. It struck me while I was paddling that this can be a good way to think about decision making in my current situation - not knowing what to do next. (Yes, I'm in a big transition right now - my other blog has particulars.) Just like when I pushed off into the water with my kayak, I never heard a voice from above or saw flashing neon arrows in the water to guide me to the 'correct' bay, I do not sense any specific leading from God as regards my next step in life. So in the kayak, what did I do? I paddled around and explored, and had a wonderful time!
See the metaphor... I wore my life-jacket and stayed away from the rough and very exposed part at the centre of the main body of water, because I knew that without anybody with me, it would be a risk to go there. I also avoided going too close to the territorial-looking black swans. Having been dive-bombed by seagulls before, that could be down to my nervousness about agitating large birds!!
God has given us brains. In decision making, there are many choices that we know are not good for us, so I think He expects us to figure that one out without expecting Him to tell us not to do them.
The whole time I kayaked, I stayed on the lake. WOW! Can you believe it - I never went off kayaking up the hill, into the farm or forest.
Stupid observation, but I was heartened to realise that wherever I paddled, I was on the water. No matter which bay I went into, the water was there, lifting me and enabling me to move.
God is present. And there is nowhere that I can lose Him. His will can be likened to the water of the lake. God wants me to love Him, to love others, to live as He has designed me to. Intentionally disregarding that would be for me to say I'm going kayaking but end up exploring a farm or forest instead. And as His followers, it will be obvious to us when we are not living to honour Him... as obviously wrong as trying to paddle up a grassy hill. But other than that, unless He has shown me specifically which 'bay' to go to, He is present in every bay! And maybe He asks us to let Him carry us like the water, but then go for it - paddle around, explore and choose which direction to go in.
Each bay was beautiful. Only one was filled with lilies, whe
re I took this picture. I never knew on entering this particular bay that I would see them, but they made my day! If you are struggling with decision making, I hope this will encourage you. If God doesn't seem to be telling you much about what to do, avoid things that you know are stupid to do, commit yourself to living in a way that honours Him, then go for it.... explore, make up your mind and see where you end up!
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3 comments:
So beautiful, and a great help to me at the present time. Thanks.
I sent it to a friend who is struggling with major life decisions right now, and I think it's a great analogy and encouraging message! :-)
Indeed an uplifting and well-worded message. Obviously God gives to those who seek His wisdom and you have certainly done so by sharing this. I pray this experience continues to be a foundational "learning" for you as well as a great testimony to how God leads you - to lead others. Dear Betsy, thank you for sending this.."major life decisions" sounds so "major" - and it is - because our God is a "major God". Yet, in our human ways, we do this - I do this - I try to count up the ways I have to be safe and "on top of" everything. It has been a great "kayak ride" in this "pond" with you and I look forward to more exploring of His journey.
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