He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.
—Psalm 23:2b-3a (NKJV)
This past weekend was our semi-annual trek with the “up north gang” to our friend’s cabin on the Gunflint Trail. We gathered at Starbucks early in the morning with our motorcycles packed up and ready to ride. We made a quick exit through the city, headed north on the freeway, and before long, we were meandering up Minnesota’s North Shore drinking in the majestic beauty of Lake Superior along the way. When we finally arrived at the cabin, we settled into a weekend of laughing, eating, and enjoying each other’s company. Highlights this year were hiking up to a beautiful scenic overlook, fishing, laying on the dock looking at the stars, napping in the hammock, and simply enjoying the pristine unspoiled waters of the boundary waters canoe area interrupted only by the laughing sounds of a family of loons gliding silently across the lake. We like to call this cabin a “healing place” because we have all been touched by God’s grace there, and His very presence has restored our souls. Being there reminds me not to take life too seriously and to find child-like delight in every blessing.
One of my personal highlights this time was learning to kayak. My friend is a great teacher. Kayaks can be easily tipped and I don’t swim. (No, I really don’t swim. Thank God for life jackets.) She taught me how to position my feet and knees, rock my hips, keep my head up, and look straight ahead to maintain my balance. I learned how to start, stop, and steer the kayak with the double-ended paddle. The thought of tipping and trying to wiggle out of the kayak while upside down with my head under water was a great motivator to follow her guidance and direction. Once I got the hang of it, I was struck by the serenity of the kayak gliding over the top of the glassy lake surface. I could hear the sounds from the dock as people called out directions or encouraging words, but the words didn’t penetrate my secret place. Head up and eyes forward, it felt as if I was moving to the rhythm of the kayak and in perfect tune with the water itself. Losing my focus and letting their voices or anything else distract me could have easily turned me upside down into the lake.
It reminded me of Peter walking on the water. As long as he kept his eyes focused on Jesus, he was in perfect harmony with Him and able to access the full power of God. Peter and the Lord were one and he transcended from the natural into the supernatural realm. When he took his eyes off Jesus and looked around at the high waves crashing around him, Peter was terrified and began to sink (Matthew 14:28-30). His faith wavered and he focused on his own inadequacies instead of fully receiving the peace and promises of God. The reality of his circumstances pulled him into the lake, just like the voices from the dock could have easily distracted me and caused me to capsize my kayak.
There’s a good life lesson in this. Jesus is your Shepherd and Teacher. If you follow Him in obedience, and completely depend on Him for provision, guidance and protection, He will lead you to a place of contentment where the roaring waves or the voices of the world can’t touch you. You will glide along life in perfect tune with the Lord Himself, looking straight ahead into His loving eyes. In the still waters of His presence, you will find a supernatural peace in the worst of life’s storms. Try it sometime. I guarantee you won’t tip the kayak.