1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

One of the best ways to spend a summer afternoon is paddling a kayak down a slow-moving stream, soaking up the sun’s rays and enjoying the sounds of nature. There are many benefits like strengthening your core muscles and improving your cardiovascular health while being serenaded by the sound of the birds, wind in the trees and water trickling across rocks.

However, to enjoy this sport, you must consider the most important part is to stay safely on top of the water and not sink. To sink would certainly not be a good thing and you want to avoid the possibility of a tragic situation. This is the reason you must take all the precautions for your safety by having the right equipment and training to remain safe throughout your journey. By doing so you can be ready if the water gets rough and you toss and turn in the turbulence. Your main objective is to stay afloat and not sink.

Just like in kayaking, we can draw a similarity to our Christian life. As we go through life and everything is going great, like that summertime experience in the kayak, we feel so good and blessed. But soon, we come up on some turbulence downstream called temptation. Sin tries to get in and if too much gets in, we begin to sink.

The world offers so many opportunities for sin to enter into our lives. When sin comes into our life, it is like the water getting in our kayak as we float down the stream. If too much gets in, we begin to go sink deeper and deeper. How do we prepare then?

First, we get the right equipment called the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible is the inspired word of God. It has all the instructions for us to stay afloat in this life no matter the circumstance. Next, join with other Christians in a Bible study. Here you will have the opportunity to learn from the scriptures how to handle the all the turbulence in life that may lay ahead. Lastly, pray for the Holy Spirit to grant you wisdom and discernment in your studies, so that you may persevere in the faith. Focusing on our Lord and Savior’s teachings will give us all the instruction necessary for us to stay afloat in any situation life may bring.

This week, pray about making a commitment to continuously pray to our Lord and Savior for his leading and making it a habit of studying the scriptures along with other Christian groups. This is the best way to stay afloat in the challenges of life. May God’s peace be with you.