Hey everyone! I leave in just under 3 weeks. That’s crazy!
It’s been quite a journey the last few months. I got back from the World Race thinking it was going to be a while before I leave to another country again. I thought God would have me in a season of being in Canada for a bit, and then the opportunity to Squad Lead happened and my time left in Canada got shorter and shorter.
I wrote a blog a few weeks ago about the journey God has been taking me on in the area of “Striving”. (Click HERE to Read it) I never realized it until recently how I’ve lived most my life with “Striving” and not “Abiding”.
I looked up a definition of “Striver” and it said “Someone who works as hard as a slave”. And “Strive” is “To exert much effort or energy”. A definition for “Abide” is “To be; to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for any time indefinitely”. God calls us to abide in Him and we will bear much fruit. To rest, dwell and stand firm in Him. This takes faith and trust in Him to take care of us, but ultimately it is the best way to go. He does not call us to a life of striving. That is what a slave does. But He no longer calls us slaves, He calls us friends. Friends who abide in Him.
There were definitely moments in my life of abiding, but overall, my life was full of striving. As I was praying last night, God gave me an amazing picture of the difference between “Striving” and “Abiding” and how to enter from one to the other. It was too good not to share with you. So here it is! I pray it brings freedom from striving!
There are two oceans. The ocean of striving and the ocean of abiding. They are divided by a long skinny island. In between the island, there is a river about 1 kilometer long. The river is lined with palm trees and has angels on the banks worshipping God. The river has beautiful, clear, refreshing, warm water. It has a flow to it and flows downward from the striving side to the abiding side.
In the striving ocean there are a bunch of fishermen in boats working hard at getting fish. They are struggling to pull in just a few fish. They are frustrated at the lack of fish they pull in and are letting everyone around them know about it. They complain often and worry what the next will hold for them. They go out day and night trying their best, but not much comes of it. They bring in barely enough for them and their family, but not enough to give to friends, family or strangers in need.
On the abiding side there are fishermen in boats who are having a joyful and peaceful time. They look relaxed in their boats and often sit comfortably with their feet up thanking God for their life. They are laughing and making jokes with the other fishermen in their boats. They wait on God to tell them when and where to throw their nets, then do what He instructs them. They pull in boat loads of fish and always have smiles on their faces. Some of the fish even have money or jewels in their mouths. There is always plenty to go around for others who are in need.
Some of the striving fishermen look at the abiding fishermen and think, “I’ll never be able to do that. God made me to work hard for my fish, so this is my lot”. And they stay there their whole lives not believing there is an easier way for them to fish.
Some of the striving fishermen look at the abiding fishermen and desire to have what they have. Holy Spirit is standing at the beginning of the river with floaty devices. The striving fishermen see Him, but figure they can do it without the floaty since it’s down stream. So they get in the river and begin swimming down the stream to the abiding side. Once they get to the other side, there is an angel that meets them as they get out of the river. He says to them, “Where is your floaty? You cannot enter this side without a floaty”. “But I swam all the way here! I earned this! I deserve to fish in this ocean!”. “Sorry” the angel says, “Try again. And next time, I suggest the floaty”. He points and says, “There is the side walk to go back”.
Some of the striving fishermen looked at the abiding fishermen and took notice of the Holy Spirit with His floaty’s. They approach Him and ask Him, “How much for the floaty. I’ll pay whatever price to get to the other side”. “It’s not for sale” says Holy Spirit. The striving fishermen go back to their boats sad because they wanted an easier life and couldn’t even pay for it. They had lots of money, but couldn’t make their life easier and joyful.
Then some of the striving fishermen looked at the abiding fishermen and think to themselves, “Surely it is possible for us to live that way. There’s Holy Spirit. We’ll ask Him”. They approach Him and ask, “Holy Spirit, how do we reach the abiding side?” “You use these” He says as He shows them a floaty. “How much do we owe you” they ask. “It’s not for sale” He replies. “Can we each have one to take to the other side?” they ask. “You most definitely can” replies Holy Spirit as He hands them each a floaty. They set their floaty’s down on the river and lay down on them. “Remember” said Holy Spirit, “There is no need to paddle. Just enjoy the ride and listen to the music”.
These striving fishermen begin abiding as they slowly make their way down the river to the abiding side. Along the way are angels worshipping God. There is a warm sun beating down on their bodies and they are shaded a bit by the palm trees. Each man has a big smile on their face and feel peace and joy and love. As they get to the other side, they get off their floaty’s with an angel waiting for them. He says, “May I take your floaty?” Each man hands him their floaty and the angel gives them a key in return. He tells them, “This is for your new fishing ship. Go over to the dock and you’ll find a ship with your name on it. It is tied to the dock with a lock. This key will unlock it and you may begin fishing”. One man asks, “What do I owe you for the boat?” “They are not for sale” the angel replies and continues handing him the key. “You got here by abiding, not striving. You receive the boat and catch fish the same way. This is how we do things on this side of the island. If you want to strive for everything, there is a sidewalk here you can go back on. The choice is yours. Take the boat and begin fishing, or walk back to your old life. You choose. I personally suggest you stay on this side” the angel says with a wink.
The choice is yours. Which will you choose?
