Something to Think About: In The Flow

Something to Think About: In The Flow

Reflections by Dr. Chuck Cluff, Atherton resident since 2004

Romans 1:10
“…Asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you.”

Sticking with the main flow of the river has benefits. The main river flows without obstruction, anything in its way is strongly and quickly pushed aside. Staying with the main flow is usually the best, fastest and surest route. Water going into tributaries has less predictable outcomes. If the main river leads to where you want to go it is the fastest and safest route to your destination, and the wisest to take.

The Verde river in Arizona is a great inner tube ride. The best ride is in the center where the flow is strongest and smoothest. On the edges the scrubs and rocks try to grab and snag you, sometimes causing the inner tube to catch, and thus on occasion dumping the riders while causing a leak in the tube. It is the tributaries flowing off from the main river that can leave you struggling to continue moving. On occasion you have to pick up the inner tube and carry it until the water is deep enough again to float. Some take circular routs that meet again with the main river. Other branches go off on their own to finally leave you stranded when the water comes to a complete stop.

Being in the center of God’s will is the most trouble free way to be. Not meaning we won’t have problems but that they will have lesser affect. We all know taking offshoots causes unhappy times. When we do unloving talking and acting we have to recover by apologizing or making something up to one we have offended. Staying in the main stream of God’s will keeps us in the best and surest flow. This means acting with love and consideration to everyone as Jesus did. God’s will is always what is best for all concerned! To be outside of God’s will can take us into side adventures that almost always cause hurt along with delay.

Jesus seemed to never question God’s will being the exact thing he was going to do. It is particularly important as seniors to trust God when the flow of life seems to not be moving very fast, maybe not at all. Often the calmest times on a river are just before the exciting rapids. When we slip off this earth’s moorings we are in for a ride the likes of which we have never seen. Wow.