“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1
The other day I was watching two ducks that landed on the water. As I studied them, I was searching for answers. There was something special about those ducks. Were they sea ducks? I passed on that idea because I really think they were mallard ducks, a male and a female. They weren’t some rare species, and their movements were very normal, so what was I to learn?
I watched them float next to each other. Even though they seemed so peaceful and weren’t doing much work, one would occasionally do some head dipping for what I assumed was to find a tasty morsel of food. They’d then continue just being still and floating next to one another.
Their bodies seemed so calm and peaceful, but once I got to thinking about how they were staying close to the edge of the water without hitting into the sea wall due to the current I was confused. How were they staying in one place?
That’s when I realized that there was work involved for them to keep steady. They might’ve had a peaceful state happening, but they were in no way motionless! Just because I couldn’t see what was going on, doesn’t mean that nothing was.
It wasn’t the type of ducks or even a miraculous feat they were accomplishing on the bay that I was to receive a grand lesson from. It was what I couldn’t see that contained the lesson. It was what was going on beneath the water. Those webbed feet were constantly paddling so they didn’t get pushed where they didn’t want to go.
They weren’t frantic, more like utterly peaceful, but they weren’t completely still either. They kept on paddling. The current didn’t worry them because they knew what it takes to remain and not crash. They knew that in order to remain, there is some movement involved. To go forward requires extra and to go backward is when there’s no movement.
What did that mean for me? It meant I needed to keep going in the direction last given without worrying about what is next or what has already happened. Showing steadiness while I keep paddling equals letting my faith shine.
Was God using the ducks as an example? I think so. His creatures don’t panic, but they don’t just float while waiting on Him. They stay in peace while they keep on paddling. If they were to quit while waiting on the Lord, they’d be thrown off course and hit the snags and walls, so they keep on paddling.
Do we tend to have extremes in our lives? Do we stop paddling and say we’ll wait on the Lord? Do we completely wash our hands of all responsibilities that the Lord has given us? Next, I have to think about the opposite extreme. We strive and strive relying on our own knowledge and strength without any room for the Lord to direct and make way for us.
I suggest we remain in peace like those ducks but keep paddling while waiting. Paddling without trying to get everyone else’s attention for what we’re doing could be what is expected from us. We need to paddle under the water, behind the scenes, more often than to be seen. It helps us remember that the Lord is still working in ways that aren’t visible just yet.
Where we end up will be more of a testament of His work than if He showed each step of the way. It allows our faith, perseverance, and character to grow along the way.
Also, keep that partner there with you. Remember I saw that male and female together? Just like exercising…it will be easier going through with someone who can encourage and remind us we can do it. We can keep paddling through the rough waters.
What can you do? Keep on paddling! No crashing into the sea wall for you. A wise person told me, “The most important things happening aren’t always seen.” Stay peaceful, not motionless.