Listening to the river

As I stood on the bank of smooth, white pebbles, the river surged past – morning sunlight glinting off the water. The river’s steady roar filled me with peace. My husband and I had enjoyed a lovely weekend camping with families from our church, getting to know each other better, enjoying the river and praising God. 

Now we were taking one last walk before heading home. Each time a big truck rumbled past on the nearby road, the noise made me turn and look, disturbing my pensive mood. Then a thought dropped into my mind: ‘Listen to the river.’ Walking back to the car, I considered those words, and their meaning became clear. If I want to keep my peaceful feeling, I need to focus on the beauty of the river, not the distracting noises. 

God’s presence is like a river running through our lives. But life, like that road, is filled with distractions. Troubling news stories,  illness  and other personal struggles may bring worry; daily routines involving work, school and family require our attention. However, when we ‘listen to the river’ – by reading the Bible, meditating on its meaning and praying regularly – we can find God’s peace, even in the midst of a busy life.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the peace only you can give. Help us to focus beyond life’s distractions to see you. Amen