The Catamaran
Have you ever ridden on a catamaran? I did. Just once. I had never seen one before that day, but as I stretched out on the canvas that separated the double hulls, basking in the sunshine and enjoying the lull of the quiet lake, I knew this was just the thing for me!
The calm didn't last the day,
however, and by afternoon the wind had driven the lazy
water into white caps. Our speed increased, and before I
knew what was happening, one of my friends was being
strapped into a harness to hang out over the edge of one
of the hulls! I stared in wonder as she stretched out
over the waves. But my wonder quickly changed to horror
as our speed increased and one of the boat's hulls -- the
one my friend was hanging from -- lifted right out of the
water! I was sure we were going to flip and I hung on for
dear life. Even as I considered my own "precarious"
position, it occurred to me that I was glad to be where I
was and not out there in that harness!
My friend, however, seemed to
be enjoying herself as she "flew" over the surface of the
water! Curious!
Then a harness was handed to
me . . . "Come on, it's fun!" they coaxed, and before it
was over, I found myself hanging out over the water, too,
skimming over the surface of the lake at what seemed to be
neck breaking speed.
Suddenly it didn't seem so
dangerous. My fear was quickly overcome by the thrill of
the ride, and I was sorry to see it end!
Last night I was awakened in
the middle of the night with a New Year's message for each
one of us. I saw myself riding on that catamaran,
skimming over the surface of the water in the
harness. Once again, the thrill of it all overcame me and
I knew that I never wanted it to end.
As I stared out at the waves,
however, I gradually became aware that it wasn't really
water I was seeing, but the new year. The upcoming 12
months would bring their share of troubles, and the very
thought of it scared me!. Then I gradually became aware
that it wasn't a catamaran I was on anymore, but I was
riding on Jesus.
As I contemplated all of
this, it occurred to me that I had two choices to make: I
could worry and fret in anticipation of the upcoming
troubles; or I could ride out over the waves, in the
harness of the catamaran -- Jesus. If I chose the former,
I would have to bear the burden of the troubles myself.
If I chose the later, Jesus would take the bumps while I
simply enjoyed the thrill of the ride, the thrill of
seeing Him at work in my life!
What do you think, my
friends? How shall we react in anticipation of and in the
face of the troubles that the new year will bring? Shall
we look on the upcoming 12 months with anxiety? Or shall
we go for the ride of our lives, drinking in the thrill of
the adventure, ever knowing that the "boat" -- Jesus --
will never let us sink?
I choose to ride the
catamaran through the upcoming year. What about you???
"Therefore I tell you, do
not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about
your body, what you will wear . . . Consider how the
lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you,
not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one
of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the
field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into
the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of
little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will
eat or drink; do not worry about it." (Luke 12:22-23,
27-29). "But seek his kingdom, and these things will
be given to you as well." (Luke 12:31)
Lyn Chaffart
Moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets ( www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/ ), Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org ,