The new paddler seemed confident and outfitted for success with a brand-new kayak, new looking wet-suit and helmet—the works. He had all the right stuff but appeared to have little experience kayaking, and no experience on a fast-moving creek. 

Almost immediately after taking off, his kayak flipped, and he landed upside down in the water. The poor man struggled to right his boat while the roiling creek pulled him downstream. Then in one mighty push of his paddle, he managed to pop himself up out of the water, but it was no occasion to holler a victory whoop and twirl his paddle over his head. Unnerved and embarrassed, the man opted out of the rest of the trip—climbing the bank and heading back to his car with his kayak.

When we start out in the Christian life, the keys to our success will not be a new look, a new lingo, or a new Bible. It will be a new power to live a life pleasing to God that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. It will be a new heart yielded to His Holy Spirit. We won’t be overcome by the river of God when the river is flowing through us! Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within him.” (John 7:38 NIV).