They thought that all the helpers had given their reports, but they had forgotten the youngest helper! He was just 18 years old, and he was the son of the teacher. The door to the room burst open and this young helper came running into the room. He apologized for being late, but he had been having so much fun that he had lost track of the time! He was wearing a swimsuit, a t-shirt, a helmet, and he was soaking wet! He told the teacher that he had been to the New River Gorge National Park. This area in West Virginia was made into a National Park in 2020.
There are many things to do in this park including: hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, rock climbing, camping, but the helper’s favorite was whitewater rafting! The New River flows between towering cliffs as it winds through the park. Some parts of the river are calm and slow, other parts have a faster currents, there is a beautiful waterfall, and part of the river is extremely fast with rapids and boulders!
The part with rapids and boulders is where the helper got to go whitewater rafting.
It looked scary and dangerous, and at first the helper did not want to go rafting, but there was a guide assigned to his raft. This guide had been down the river many times and he had confidence that he could take everyone in the raft safely through all the rapids!
As the raft approached the first rapids, the current sped up, and the water got angry! The helper was terrified! The guide had to yell loudly so that the people in the raft could hear him above the noise of the river, but he yelled directions to everyone in the raft. Everyone obeyed the guide promptly, none of them wanted to die! When they obeyed the guide, the raft missed all the boulders and went through the middle of the rapids! Everyone in the raft was soaked from the waves, but everyone was safe!
After the third set of raids, the helper had learned that he could trust his guide. The helper was able to relax and really enjoy the rest of the trip! It was the most fun he had had in his entire life, and he did not want it to end!
Application for you and me:
This helper found a God-Connection in the rapids and in his guide. The guide knew how to take the people in the raft safely down the river to their destination, and God knows how to take believers safely through this life until they arrive at their destination, which is heaven! The guide in the raft promised that he would stay with the people in the raft and keep them safe.
In the Bible in Hebrews 13:5b God says:
For God says, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
God will stay with those who have given their life to Him every step of the way through this life!
The disciples of Jesus learned about this. Two times they were out in the middle of the Sea of Galilee when they got caught in bad storms!
The storm story is found in the Bible in Matthew 14:24-27 where it says:
Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t’ be afraid,” he said. Take Courage. I am here!”
The second storm is found in the Bible in Matthew 8:23-27 where it says:
Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with His disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith! The He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey Him!”
When a person gives their life to Jesus, He is the best guide ever! He will stay with you all your life, and nothing can surprise Him or overwhelm Him!
Just like the guide in the raft gave the helper the best time of his life, Jesus gives believers the most fulfilling life here on earth and then heaven for eternity!
In the Bible in John 10:10 Jesus says:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
If you have not given your life to Jesus, please pray and ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your life. Let Him be your guide through life!