“If life is a river, then pursuing Christ requires swimming upstream.  When we stop swimming, or actively following Him, we automatically begin to be swept downstream.”  – Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

“Just keep swimming.”  – Dory, Finding Nemo

Sometimes I feel as though my life is like a white water rafting adventure.  Twists, turns, even a little danger.  I’ve never actually been white water rafting, though.  I’m not a big fan of the water.  My husband, however, loves the water.  He grew up near a huge lake and so he’s a fan of every kind of water activity.  He’s been rafting many times.  I have this picture of him in my head:  He’s in his element.  He’s calm and completely in control of his raft, handling the twists and turns like a pro.  I can imagine him laughing and smiling as the water gently splashes up over the edge of the raft into his adorable Mr. Bingley hair-do.  He would handle every bit of the adventure without any flips or falls, scrapes or bruises.   And he would be eager to repeat the whole thing again.

For me, it would be a bit different.  For me, it would go something like this:  I would wrap the life jacket around me (maybe even add a second one just to be sure), climb in the raft and very quickly identify the “Lord, help me!” handles.  Then I would hold on to said handles for dear life.  I’m sure I’d fall out of the raft at least a dozen times perhaps even breaking several bones in the process.  I would be screaming and crying from start to at least 20 minutes after the end and would come to the finish line (is there a finish line?) with hair filled with all manner of leaves, rocks and river rodents, mascara streaming down my face (because all good Texas girls wear mascara in absolutely every situation), body covered with bumps, bruises, cuts and scrapes.  I would wind up hating rafts, rivers, water, nature, whomever talked me into it and especially myself for agreeing to the whole thing in the first place.

I just need to tell you, dear friends, that I read the above to my husband and he said, “Well, that’s pretty accurate.  That’s pretty much how I picture you!”  Well, there you are.  I’ve told you before that I am a truth teller.

My attitude going in to the rafting adventure would be one of defeat.

My husband’s would be one of determination.

In both cases, the attitude going into the situation would have a very large impact on the outcome of the situation.

The same is true of life.  Chuck Swindoll once said that “life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”

What is your attitude day to day? Defeat?  Or Determination?

Either way, your attitude going into the day has an enormous impact on the outcome of your day.  Following Christ is difficult.  It requires much determination.  I agree with Francis Chan – Christianity is like swimming upstream.  Let’s choose today to have an attitude of determination.  To do the right thing.  To be kind.  To show grace.  To keep going no matter what happens.  We can do this.  We can. 

I will if you will.  I double dog dare you.

Just keep swimming,