For the very first time in our lives, Sangeetha and I took Reuben and we all went kayaking in the Caribbean sea along the shores of Puerto Morelos (South of Cancun, Mexico). It was a tiring yet enjoyable experience. Our guide kayak was for the most part kayaking alongside us but at times left us and went toward others in the party, leaving us in between the shore and the vast ocean.

Reuben sat with me in the front and Sangeetha sat behind.  He enjoyed the zephyr on his face, and even when the water that buffeted against our kayak, at times came into the kayak, he was calm and cool and was having fun. I had my arms around him and he even helped me with steering using the oars.

What we learned quickly was that in order for us to steer the kayak forward, both Sangeetha and I had to steer the kayak in a synchronized fashion. We even came up with a strategy where Sangeetha from the back would call left, right, left or left, left, right or left, right, right as needed. As long as we both moved our oars together and uniformly, we were okay but every time I missed a beat or was slow, we found that the kayak, veered off course and at one time, we were kayaking straight into the ocean, until we managed to get our beat back together and steer ourselves to the shore.

What this experience really taught me was three things –

  1. First, as long as the guide was alongside us, we were not worried. Similarly as long as we are aware and know of God’s presence alongside us, we have nothing to be worried about. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
  2. Second, when my arms were around Reuben, he had not a care in the world. Likewise, when God’s arms surround us, we need not have to be anxious about anything.
  3. Thirdly, just as it was required for Sangeetha and me (and Reuben) to work together in a unified manner to advance the kayak forward, so also in order for us to advance the kingdom of God forward, we must work in unity with one another and more importantly with God. Jesus’ request to God the Father was the we may be one with Him and God, just as He and God the Father are one (John 17:21).

Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)
6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
John 17:21 (KJV)
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: …