I was fishing. It was a beautiful, Maine, summer day. I had a small, motor-less boat. I paddled to the area where I knew the big, lunker bass were waiting for my bait. I threw out my line and waited for a fish to strike.
The process took only a few seconds and I was fighting a monster. He leaped out of the crystal clear water, shaking his head violently….bad to the bone! The fight went on for a few minutes until I finally landed him, removed the hook and released him.
Moments later, I again cast out my line. I watched as the line sank to the bottom. I flipped the bail closed on my open faced, spin-cast reel and again went into wait mode.
This time, however, took a little while longer. During the lapse in action, I found that my mind had drifted back to the previous catch, reliving it. My mind continued to drift. The lake was quiet and calm, the sun was warm and pleasant feeling on my skin. My mind continued to drift from one thought to another. I was lost in pleasantries of thought, totally at peace and relaxed.
After awhile, I’m not sure just how long, my mind snapped back to reality. I recognized that my mind had been adrift for some time and that I hadn’t had any action on my line.
I took a look around and was surprised to see that while my mind was adrift, so was my boat. I had drifted many yards from where I had first cast my line in. I thought about how far I had come, without any effort or intent to move.
This story reminds me of our Spiritual walk. We set sail on a mission of following after our Creator, with all good intent. We spend time and energy maneuvering ourselves into areas of obedience. Then, feeling good about where we’re at and without conscious effort, we begin to drift. We stop applying any effort because we’re right where we want to be. The problem is that the currents of this world flow away from Him. After a short time, we look at where we are and realize that without trying, or realizing it, we have drifted away from the spot which we believed we were in.
In life we cannot drift and stay where we want. Staying where we are, where we want to be, requires that energy and effort be applied. We are fighting against the currents of life, even though that current may be gentle enough that we can’t recognize that it is moving us.
Flowing with God takes time and energy. Let’s not simply let ourselves drift through this life. Let’s paddle to where the fishing is best: With our Savior! Blessings!

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