Mississippi

Drifting Downstream

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• published: 07 Jan 2013
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Drifting down stream brings to mind the lazy days of summer. Mark Twain wrote the adventures of two escapees. One, a fictional character whose name is Huckleberry Finn who wished to escape his seemingly overwhelming problems in St. Petersburg and the other, a slave named Jim, who wished for freedom. These two escaped to a downstream drift on the mighty Mississippi River, which to them sounded as though it would be an easy way out of their troubles. No resistance and no effort, simply drift with the current that carries wherever it may. We must also be cautious that we do not drift away from God. It is easy to become distracted. I found this illustration in an online message from Steve Kinnard that shows what a little effort can do. Two trappers, Big John and Little Joe spent the summer and fall trapping beaver and muskrat in the Cumberland Plateau area of Tennessee. Their packs are full of skins as they made their way to the river where their canoes lay hidden. The weather, somewhat of an Indian summer day, provided an excellent time to make the upstream paddle home. The canoes were loaded and the journey home began yet, after about three hours of paddling Big John became exhausted. It was a warm lazy day so Big John decided to take a nap. Little Joe continued as he wished to take advantage of the beautiful day that he may return more quickly to his family. Fearing attack by wild animals or some other unknown Big John chose to drift in the river. After a three-hour nap, Big John woke up and began to paddle furiously to make up lost time. Exhausted, Big John finds himself back where he had begun his nap. Tired and worn out John closes his eyes for another rest. Little Joe, though worn out, is still paddling toward the safety of his own home. Back to Big John, the rocking canoe startles Big John as he awakes to find himself in the worst rapids he has ever seen. Big John has always relied on his power and might yet the harder he paddles the faster the canoe travels in the wrong direction. Big John's drifting has now led him to a place of doom. Terror fills his eyes as he goes over the waterfalls. Little Joe through his perseverance made it home. We like these two men can preserver or chose to drift. We can as Little Joe keep going until we reach our goal or we can get lazy like Big John and drift into destruction. This story illustrates the directions our life can take. God promised to take care of us if we only followed Him. Sometimes we must struggle upstream even when we feel exhausted. Taking breaks in our effort to follow God's will allows us to drift into situations that we cannot control. The writer of the book of Hebrews warns against drifting away from following Jesus. These second generation Christians were having a terrible time paying attention to the truth handed down to them. Open your Bible to Hebrews 2:1-4. Verse 1 says that we must listen carefully to the truth or we may drift from it. Paying attention is hard work since it requires focusing our minds. It's Sunday morning and you are drifting if your mind is on anything other than the message God has sent. Merely listening is drifting also, if you are not following God's instructions. The early Christians were in danger of falling away from God because they heard the word, yet failed to allow it to sink in. Look around, families are doing the same thing today. Children go to church, more or less to pacify their parents. They hear the words, but do not allow them to sink in. Today, as result of drifting, there are many casual believers, not committed to anything. Angels delivered God's message. They brought the Law of Moses as well as many other messages from God. The central theme of the book of Hebrews is that Christ is greater than that of the angels. The message that Christ brings is far greater and more important than any other message ever told. No one will escape the wrath of God should they deny the salvation offer by Christ. We are no different from the young Christians mentioned in Hebrews. They, like us had an eyewitness account of Jesus' ministry, yet like us, have not seen Him in the flesh. What did Jesus say about those who have not seen Him? "..."Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29) God in verse 4 confirms the message of Jesus through signs and wonders and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever He chooses. In our illustration, Big John failed to persevere. He drifted down stream, recovered, and eventually drifted to a point of no return. I see Big John as the part-time Christians who drift aimlessly through life with no real goal for their future. They would rather drift than have to work for anything. Little Joe on the other hand worked and persevered until he reached his goal. What is that goal anyway? Our reward is the freedom from sin and eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Are you drifting down stream?