Keep Paddling

You may not see the magnificent vista ahead.

Misty rain accompanied us nearly all day. Looking ahead, in the direction we were paddling, left no indication of how far we were from our last stop of the arduous yet exhilarating expedition.

Not everyone began the venture as wet as me. On our first leg padding in the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area, I did not get my foot over the edge of the canoe and tripped right into the cold water. Ben slipped on a rock. It was lunch time. Two down. Would any of the other four falter?

For the next several days we paddled and portaged, portaged and paddled. And then we paddled more.

That was almost a year ago.

Recently Ben messaged our group and said he was ready to go again. Maybe he is more rested than ever since discovering on that trip, and confirmed by his wife upon his return, that he has sleep apneia. Ben was working on a graduate course but took time out for our first outing. Maybe Ben is more invigorated by achieving a challenging mental task. Whatever the inspiration, Ben wanted to get the band back together.

Sadly, Fortunately, we were all too busy and Tony was not available to lead our group this year. “But you guys don’t need me now that you have been” Tony responded via text.

Charlie and I were talking about the start of school. Technology Staff work hard all summer to prepare for the school year. And then, in a photo finish, the summer ends in hopes of being prepared for faculty, staff, and students. We talked about managing projects and supervising people. He recalled our experience on the Boundary Waters.

“Keep paddling,” he tells his staff.

Recently I have reflected on the past thirty years as pastor of the same local church. Every vocation has its ups and downs over the long haul. Some days are better than others. Some years are better than others. Some seasons are better than others. No matter the length of time measured, the one thing in common is the need to keep paddling.

Paddle when it is misty and rainy. Paddle when it is sunny and cool. Paddle when you don’t always know what is around the next bend. Paddle when you don’t know how far until you find the campground. Paddle when you are tired. Paddle when you are inspired. Paddle when you are hungry and thirsty. Paddle when you are full.

Keep paddling.

It is a different metaphor for perseverance, but Jesus likened the call of the moment, whatever form it comes, to keep your hand on the plow. Most of us don’t use a hand plow anymore. The popularity of kayaking, stand-up boarding, rowing the Oklahoma River, and even paddling in the Boundary Waters, may make keep paddling my new motto.

Maybe it will replace my mentor’s regular admonition, no matter the weather conditions, a euphemism for work, put your head down and do your job.

When we reached our first camp spot on that first night the sunset was amazing. We heard our first Loons. And then the water called. A few of us tested the Boundary Waters for a swim. Relaxing in the very cold water, looking and listening, called back to that first stop of the day. Had we, had I, stopped at the first fall, I would have missed what lay ahead.

Searching for our last camping spot on the last night of the trip, after paddling in the misty rain most all day, we arrived at the view above. Beautiful it was. We all kept paddling. And at the end of that time we had learned that our differences were overcome by our commitment to one another and to keep paddling.

We shared our memories. We laughed at our faux pas. We encouraged each other with memories of pressing on under the weight of the packs and canoes.

Seemed a little like church. Or, what we hope it to be.

And, it fits the Story of God in Jesus who, no matter the weather, endured the cross and its shame having determined in freedom to love us come what may.