roaring water that we just conquered, and celebrate. Even though in the middle of the rapid, we felt like we might flip the raft or be thrown out, we made it out the other side, and we look back with grins on our faces as if to tell the raging river, “not that time!” It is important for us to spend time celebrating the battles and the victories that we face in this life. As we look ahead at times of trial, we can celebrate with our fellow believers because we know that God has a plan. God is and will always be victorious, He never wants us to fail or to fall out, He will never allow us to endure a temptation that we cannot endure, He loves infinitely. It is because of these truths that we can look to the sky and yell “paddles up” ahead of any situation. Likewise, we should do the same at the end of the trial. At the season in our life when we come out the other side we can look back, and we can see the faithfulness of God, we can recognize his plan and his provision for us. We can still see the rocks, eddies, and caves that Satan had hoped to use to topple us out of our raft, but we cling firmly to our raft and keep paddling. We smile knowing that our God won the battle and in Him we have victory. We shout “paddles up” with our friends and family and celebrate the faithfulness of God. Jesus gave His life that we may experience the “ abundant life” (John 10:10). That’s the kind of life promised to us as we ride down the river of life! It is not a life of gloom and despair but rather one of adventure, and ultimately one of victory. Keep paddling, find a guide or two to help, and don't forget to yell “paddles up” along the way.
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