You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.

Deuteronomy 13:4 NASB

A wall of water rose before my frozen eyes, and my breath caught momentarily in my throat. The bottom of the river loomed below my feet, filling my ears with the sound of rushing water. Suddenly a confident, demanding voice broke through, “Hold on!” My back arched, flinging my legs over my head, as the raft hit the wall of water and I understood how clothes felt in a washing machine. In a flash, I remembered the instructions I had been given and blindly threw my hand to the side of the raft. Relief flooded over me as I felt the safety line and grabbed it with all my strength. Then there was nothing but bubbles and water. The only thing sure in that watery chaos was that lifeline in my white-knuckled fist, which kept me connected to my raft.

Some moments in life feel like we are stuck in white water rapids. Fear crawls up our throats as we see insurmountable, unforeseen challenges rise in front of us. Shock and anxiety cloud our minds with confusion, and we can’t seem to make sense of what is happening around and inside us. Then our eyes focus on what we believe is the inevitable bottom racing toward us. There is no way back, no way to get out and our trajectory is set. We have to ride it out. What do we do? How will we survive without drowning or being battered by rocks? Those around us have been tossed out of the boat or trapped in their own swirling mass of confusion and fear. Ice cold seeps into our hearts, and we freeze.

Adultery, pornography, sickness, loss, barrenness, betrayal, an incurable diagnosis, addiction, and so much more can become a deluge that overwhelms and blinds us.

But we have forgotten there is a Guide in perfect control of the raft. The One who knows exactly how the river flows knows how to traverse the rapids. He tells us to “hold on!” to the One He sent to save us. He has provided us with a “lifeline” that we can cling to through the turmoil and momentary blindness.

We learn about the security of that lifeline in the pages of the Word of God, and as we cling to the truths found in it, He will steer us to the other side of the rapids, where we can find peace and a firm foundation to stand on in Him.

In order to know where to find that lifeline, though, we need to listen to and practice the instructions given to us in the Bible before we get into the white water. Then when we are swallowed up by the wave and hear those words “hold on,” we will instinctively know where to put our hand, into the hand of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Who or what is your lifeline? Is it secure enough to bring you through any chaos? Do you know how to use it? Is the guide you’re listening to trustworthy and wise enough?

I have only ever found One I can depend upon. No matter the situation. Even when I have felt like I was drowning, hopeless and blind, He has been the rope that kept me secure. His truth, love and presence have sustained me and held me fast through failure, hard ground and turmoil. They have brought me up, out of the depths, and given me a joy and peace that is indescribable and unattainable in anything or anyone else.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 NKJV

Have you tested that lifeline? Do you know where to find it and grab hold of it?

If not, I encourage you to read about it, test it and hold on to it even when things don’t seem to be working out. Hold on! He’s got the rudder and will steer you clear.

Be well!

Patricia