Affirmations (Today's Pilgrim Challenge)

Our lives are usually a river going at the pace of the Colorado at springtime through the mountains.  White water rapids and dangerous speeds.  This pilgrimage was no different.  Often we are making every effort we can to steer our kayak, stay afloat, and not tip.  We are busy steering this way and that, trying to avoid crashing into the shore or succumb to some whirlpool of rapids or a surge here and there. Can you imagine the scene?  Hear the noise of the water?  Feel it splash on your face and all around you? Can you feel your muscles straining?  Imagine the scene for a minute.

This is our journey. This is our life.  The scary and amazing thing is that God asks us to give him control of the kayak.  He asks us to stop paddling, to stop straining, to relax and trust he will keep it from tipping or crashing.  Our reaction in life is 'NO WAY!'.  We will crash! We will tip!  You ever get close to letting something go and being so close to surrendering, being vulnerable?  Our reaction often is to grab back on, make a tighter grip, say 'I can't!'.  Hold on tighter, close our eyes, struggle with the boat and with the surrender!

God says let go.  He says the journey is not about control of the kayak.  How scary this is!  How nearly impossible it seems!  God says to let it go.  He says to trust.  You see, what he calls us to is not to hold onto controls, but to enjoy the ride. Once we let go, we can look up. We can look around.  We can be in awe of all that surrounds us.  We can see the beauty of the place.  We can feel the warmth of the sun.  We can feel the refreshing coldness of the water.  We can feel the thrill of the turns and speed.  Our journey is not about controlling where we go.  It isn't even about controlling the scenery or the objects and things that get in our way.  It's about enjoying the gifts he puts in our journey.  When we surrender and trust, we are able to enjoy and be grateful.

When we control and try to manage our lives, we often see the rock in the river, or the impeding cliff, or the rapids as obstacles, as things to fear, or things to distract us. Things that get in the way of our path.  But when we surrender, these things only become part of the journey we are on. They become unique gifts, things that we can enjoy. Challenges that we can wonder about; "how is God going to get me through this one?".  What's the unique thing about this?  Every person, every joy, every distraction is a beautiful part of the scenery!

Two things to keep in mind: sometimes we get stuck on a rock. Sometimes we run aground. Sometimes we get stuck in a whirlpool. I’m thinking of raising 4 little kids right now, or financial burdens of a family. But how do we respond? We can stay stuck on the rock, and start feeling the burden, and try to begin controlling. We can give in or give up. The challenge is to push off the rock. Trust the lord. Be responsible about what we need, but let go of the anxiety and worry. Second, we have emotions and we are human. We aren’t filled with joy every moment and sometimes we look up and the cliffs look grey. The scenery seems less vibrant. We feel sad or low. That’s ok. Still trust and give it up to him. Just admit it. “I’m not feeling it”. That is quite alright.

As we end this journey and realize the great pilgrimage of our lives is ongoing, happening now, our challenge is to see everything in front of us as a blessing and gift from God that helps us.  It is to voice our gratitude to the gifts!  Our challenge is to affirm and recognize the good in our fellow pilgrims.  Today, find a moment to speak to each pilgrim, or give them a note about what stands out, what they bring, what they do to help you. Affirm your follow pilgrims.  Tell them how you see God's love through them.

I challenge all those at home to do the same.  And your fellow pilgrims? Everyone close to you.  Give them an affirmation today, of how you see God's love through them.