Swimming Upstream?

My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. Don’t let them out of your sight. Never stop thinking about them. These words are the secret of life and health to all who discover them. Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life. (Proverbs 4:20-23)

When God asks us to pay attention it is just that he knows how easily we become distracted by other things or people. The 'loudest voice' or the 'shiniest image' gets our attention and before we know it, we are following the crowd and not him. I recently attended a large gathering and at the end of the event, huge crowds all marched out in no particular order, but with intent. I took particular notice of those who were trying to 'swim upstream', pushing past those who were intent on going one direction when they were committed to going the other. Sometimes our Christian walk can seem a bit like we are 'swimming upstream' while the crowds are swimming smoothly in the opposite direction. Just remember one thing - they think they know where they are all going, but if they don't really know who is leading them, they might not reach their desired destination.

Pay attention to the words of God - they are not always easily heard, sometimes harder than we'd like to understand, but they have never steered anyone wrong. One of the most reassuring things we can count on when the crowds are streaming one direction, and we seem to be fighting the battle to go the other is that God isn't abandoning us in the 'swim'. He gives us his word so we can meditate upon it, recalling it when the crowds are telling us we should be going the opposite direction, then leaning into the direction it gives above all other advice we might receive to the contrary. Be careful what you think - this is probably the crux of the issue when it comes to choosing the direction we will 'swim' in life. What we think upon the most will influence the actions we take with ease. Think upon his word and we might just find ourselves taking action in the direction others have been avoiding.

The secret to living well might actually be finding a translation of his word that helps us enjoy our time in it, get something out of it, and desire more of it in our lives. We cannot think upon it if we never get it in. We don't know the direction our life should take if we never ask. When we hear clearly that the direction has been established, we can just merge with the crowds, or 'swim upstream' with one intention in mind - to be with him. Just sayin!