I only wish I had started paddling my kayak earlier in life. I have always wanted to, but actually started paddling at about 48 years of age. I paddle for one of three reasons.
Sometimes I paddle for the exercise. Paddling is a good upper body workout. One can get out on open water and paddle hard for an extended amount of time. It is great exercise and I always feel better after a good workout.
Often I paddle and listen to music with a cheap mp3 player. I have a couple of dry boxes to keep all my electronics safe and dry. Of course, the idea when paddling is to stay dry and not swim. However, it is a well known fact that if you paddle much, eventually you will end up in the water sometime. There is nothing better than being on the water and spending time worshiping via music and prayer.
And then there are times when I just enjoy God's creation. I have paddled up many creeks that feed into the lakes here in east central Kansas. The best time is right after a rain. I have seen beavers, bald eagles, muskrats, deer, raccoons, and every kind of bird native to this part of the country.
I was thinking that these reasons for paddling correspond to the three areas of the Christian life. Paddling for exercise corresponds to service. Every believer ought to discover his/her spiritual gift and get busy using it to serve the Lord. We are not called to sit, soak, and sour, we are called to serve!
Paddling while praying and listening to music reminds me of our worship lives. Our great God is certainly worthy of praise and worship. If we fail to praise Him, the rocks will cry out. I don't want to allow them to take up the void in my life. I want in on the blessings. We need to praise and worship.
When I enjoy the wonder of God's creation it causes me to know God more intimately. Every beautifully crafted landscape and every wonderfully intricate animal tells me that God loves me and teaches me more about Him. I am reminded of the verse "...that I may KNOW him and the power of His resurrection."
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