This is an essay I wrote for Wade's ministry newsletter about what Kairos has done for me.
A person’s spiritual journey is like a river. A long time ago when the earth was relatively unexplored, an explorer sailing down a river had no idea where he was going. Today, the Earth is mapped from space and we know exactly where we are at all times with GPS. But our life is like the old explorer’s view of a river; we have no idea what is coming around the next bend. But even though we have no idea where we are going, God knows. God is the one mapping the river; He knows exactly where it is going. He knows that even though the river is flowing north, it will eventually reach the sea to the south.
Another way our spiritual journey is like a river is in its “life cycle.” Rivers generally start in the mountains from melting snow and rain. It quickly flows down the slopes of the mountains and makes its way to the plains. As the river crosses the plains it slows down, sort of meandering and lazy. After a long journey the river will eventually reach the sea, its journey complete. When we first become Christians our journey is in the mountains, fast flowing, lots of waterfalls, and lots of excitement. After the excitement wears off, our walk with the Lord can grow tired and lazy. We grow weary and slip into the dangerous habit of going to church, reading our bible and praying just because “we always have.” When we finally die, our journey ends and we “reach the sea.” For some people their “sea” is right at the base of the mountains, not that their lives are short, but that they have lived their lives to the glory of God until they die. Others will dry up in the desert like the Colorado River, never reaching their goal. They turn away from God because the plains are so flat that they can’t see any progress.
On my river journey, I started out slow, getting saved on my 3rd birthday. But until I was about 13 or 14, my spiritual journey hadn’t really started. I was still growing and maturing. Around 13 or 14, I experienced an awakening; I commenced my journey through the mountains. For a couple of years, I was in the mountains, still swift flowing and exciting. But about 2 years ago, I reached a plateau, slowing down and carving a nice channel for myself. (AKA, a rut) Then last October a friend invited me to Kairos. Kairos shook me out of my lazy stupor and it has encouraged me to start listening to God and what he wants. Because of Kairos I have reached the end of my plateau and I am moving through a steep winding canyon. And even as I write this, I can see the waterfall up ahead, where I will plunge downwards, away from the flat plateau, and into the arms of God.
Right now I am trying to steer my course, but I have no idea where I am going. I am learning to look to the Map-maker who knows exactly where my river enters the sea. The people in Kairos are right there in the boat with me, teaching me river navigation and, more importantly, to listen to the Map-maker. Even though my river is curving about, going in all directions very rapidly, I know that God has the map and that he will lead me where he wants me to go.
