Peace like a river

This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your well-being like the waves of the sea.

~Is. 48:17-18

A month ago, my brother and I went canoeing on the Auglaize River. I’d never been canoeing before and kind of had the itch to go all summer. Although we thought the river was going to be really low due to the lack of rain, we set off for an adventure. :)

What a great couple hours we had. Paddling downstream, we made our way through the twists and turns. If you ask both of us, we’d probably tell you one of our favorite parts was seeing a shallow spot ahead and knowing there was no way to avoid it. We’d chuckle a little as the bottom of our little voyager skidded along the pebbles. We’d stick our oars into ground and nudge ourselves forward or backwards until we were loose.

A fresh way of travel. Being carried along at the speed of the river’s current…and some help from Mr. Muscles. ;)

God carries us along through the twists and turns of life. Only He knows what’s coming around the bend of our journey. When we allow Him to hold us on the journey, there’s nothing to fear. When we want to take our “tomorrows” and circumstances into our own hands, we’re fighting against the current. A way not intended for abundant life.

My brother and I had never traveled that river before. We didn’t know what to expect besides what our guide told us before we left. “Keep going until you pass under five bridges. That’s when you’ll get out. Enjoy!” With that, we lowered our canoe into the water and said goodbye to the shore.

In Christ, we’re not promised an easy life. There will be valleys, struggles, temptations, disappointments, heartaches and pain. It’s easy to look at these situations as things that slow us down on our journey. Situations that hinder us from moving forward. Life will also be filled with moments of victory, mountain-top thrills, joy, and hope. In everything there is growth. In everything we can have PEACE. Taking us from where we were to someplace new. All the while, molding, shaping and growing us on the inside.

Peace.

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” ~vs. 17

God is PEACE. He is our guide for life. He alone deserves that role. He is trustworthy and knows what is best for us. He directs us out of complete love.

And when we feel stuck, He is right there to show us a way out. When we’ve gone our own way, He is right there, patiently waiting for our “yes” to Him. He will pick us up and carry us in His arms of love.

“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.” -Horatio G. Spafford

If peace is like a river it’s a powerful force. A river is not always gentle and calm. Life isn’t always gentle. But God’s peace carries us on. His peace doesn’t take away the unrelenting crazy currents, but is instead amidst the waves, twists and turns.

His peace. The peace that passes understanding. ~Phil. 4:7

Let that peace be your guard. Let Him be your guide on this journey called life.


“No one has ever seen this,
and no one has ever heard about it.
No one has ever imagined
what God has prepared for those who love him.” ~ 1 Cor. 2:9