Heave, Ho, Row. Unison is key when rowing down a river…even more so when going down a waterfall or rapid on the Nile.
God revealed so much to me while rafting, so let me share some insights God put on my heart.
Just like you need unity to row down a river, you need unity in the body of Christ. This seems to be a reoccurring theme this month. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 has been a key verse and has been relayed to me through several other people as well. Obviously a message that needs to be heard!
12Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.13For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
Lesson 1: Get in synch. Division does not belong. As we were rowing, Ash our instructor told us that we weren’t rowing in unison. We had to get in synch. Some were rowing harder/faster than others, others slower. It was creating the raft to not flow smoothly down the river. How often do you try to outdo others in your life? Make yourself look better? Argue with someone? Verse 25 tells us there should be no division and that we should be EQUALLY concerned for one another….and when that happens, the raft (life) flows so more smoothly.
Lesson 2: I am weak, but still valuable. I can throw or hit a ball hard…just ask my softball and volleyball teams…but I literally am so weak when it comes to upper body strength. This was very apparent when we flipped and had to get back into the raft. Thankfully, teammates pulled me and others back in once they were able to get in. Vs. 22 became real…I’m indispensable. Had my teammates not pulled me and others back in…the raft wouldn’t have had enough people to row down the river. We needed EVERY person. Pride often overrides thoughts and says “I’m more important.” It’s time to lay that down and see everyone around you as valuable and important.
Lesson 3: We suffer and celebrate TOGETHER. When the raft flipped, some were able to stay with the raft, others got carried off. When others got carried off, everyone was concerned where they were and rejoiced when they were reunited. It just wasn’t the same if one person was missing. When we successfully made it down a waterfall or rapid, we brought our paddles together and cheered! Each person brought a unique characteristic to the dynamic of our raft, just like an eye, ear, or mouth, brings a unique quality to the body. And together it’s a beautiful masterpiece that is one…through the good and bad.
Lesson 4: Listen, trust, and obey…and everything will be okay! At the beginning of each rapid, Ash would give us specific instructions….instructions to help us. He repeated them until we KNEW them. (hmm…keep reading your Bible until you KNOW his truth). He knew what was coming up and how to get through the situation. On one of the first major rapids, I didn’t get a tight grip on the rope that we were to hold on to when we were told to get down. When we flipped, I had to let go. Earlier, Ash said if we were separated from the boat and under water to hold your breath, relax (don’t panic) and let the life jacket bring you up. I did exactly that and I was fine! The “rescue” kayak came and reunited me with the group. This event reminded me how things turn out okay when I listen to God’s voice, trust that his plan is good, and obey his instructions…even if at the time it feels like waves are crashing over me and holding me down.
Unfortunately, (or fortunately) we didn’t get to see any crocs in the Nile… So… after while, CrocoNILE! It’s been fun, it’s been real! Thanks for your revelations!
