Canoe bow on lake
Photo 20852128 © Elena Elisseeva | Dreamstime.com. Used by permission.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (NIV)
1 Peter 4:10 10
There are times when we go about our business without realizing why we are here.
It happened to me this weekend. I could hardly sleep on Friday night as I was excited about a canoe fishing trip scheduled for the early Saturday morning. It was my time to pull in a state-record brown trout.
I arrived before the sun had fully come up. But, after getting my canoe on the water, I heard horns warning about a release of water from the dam. I thought I still had time before the release. Then the rush of water came from under the dam. It’s difficult to get a big fish to bite in the heavy current. It is also harder to control a boat.
I was not worried, but I did continue cautiously.
Down the river a bit, I learned why I was there. I was there, not for fish, but for people. A family of four had rolled their canoe. The mother called out for help. All four had their life jackets on, but the current was strong. I pulled in my lines quickly to help. A couple of us jumped into action. The family was ok. Multiple boats rolled that afternoon. I was there to help.
It wasn’t my plan but was an opportunity.
When we are willing, a floodgate of opportunity will open. We will be called to act, no matter why or how we got there.
Keep listening and be ready.
We cannot stop the challenges and changes of life, but we can be willing to reach out.
Steven Scheid servees as director of the Center for Scouting Ministries for the General Commission on UM Men. This post is republished with permission from UM Men's August newsletter.