Time Like a River

We put away the Christmas decorations yesterday. Another year winds down and goes in the books. The river of time seems to move much more swiftly with each passing day, and the increase in the river’s depth and speed of movement is so gradual that it is almost imperceptible. For most of us it is only when the water’s violent swirling, or the hard knocks of the rapids, or the roar of an approaching waterfall begin do we realize that this is no longer the placid pool we timidly dipped our toes into as little children—and by then we are so caught up in the movement that we cannot change. Or at least, most people do not change. We convince ourselves that there is a more peaceful stretch of water just around the bend, and we settle into the flow . . . praying for peace and quiet along the way. But for those who stay in the stream, riding the current to the natural end of things, there is no peace. Never ever. I pray that I will always fight the current and point others to do the same. The hymn writer Isaac Watts wrote, “Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.” There is a river of life and death, and the struggle upstream is the way to peace. The hymn writer David wrote, “He leads me beside still waters.” We all need that kind of water, and it is there to be found. Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” Turn around in midstream and come to Him.