Life on the River

When I think about my life, I imagine a river. The river begins as a trickle in the mountains and flow to the sea. Along the river, there are peaceful times where the river is smooth and wide. There are also treacherous times that feel like rapids, and I pray that God will deliver me to calm water.

Over time I realized that God wasn’t standing on the shore waiting to rescue me.

God is the river itself.

Sacred texts from across the world illustrate how God has flowed throughout history. Modern prophets and movements witness to God’s continued flow. The river of God always moves toward a sea of justice, peace, and joy, going through some rapids along the way.

We are invited to join the flow. When God tugs at your heart, will you jump in?

Peter Mayer wrote a song about joining God’s river.

God is a River

By Peter Mayer

Link to the Music Video

In the ever-shifting water of the river of this life
I was swimming, seeking comfort; I was wrestling waves to find
A boulder I could cling to, a stone to hold me fast
Where I might let the fretful water of this river round me pass

And so I found an anchor, a blessed resting place
A trusty rock I called my savior, for there I would be safe
From the river and its dangers, and I proclaimed my rock divine
And I prayed to it protect me and the rock replied

God is a river, not just a stone
God is a wild, raging rapids
And a slow, meandering flow
God is a deep and narrow passage
And a peaceful, sandy shoal
God is the river, swimmer
So let go

Still I clung to my rock tightly with conviction in my arms
Never looking at the stream to keep my mind from thoughts of harm
But the river kept on coming, kept on tugging at my legs
Till at last my fingers faltered, and I was swept away

So I m going with the flow now, these relentless twists and bends
Acclimating to the motion, and a sense of being led
And this river s like my body now, it carries me along
Through the ever-changing scenes and by the rocks that sing this song

God is a river, not just a stone
God is a wild, raging rapids
And a slow, meandering flow
God is a deep and narrow passage
And a peaceful, sandy shoal
God is the river, swimmer
So let go

God is the river, swimmer
So let go