Peace Like A River flows

I can remember as a boy. A bunch of kids from the neighborhood made up a young troop of adventurers who would run all over town on our bikes. We traveled through the streets, the fairgrounds, the dump and back alleys. It was almost as if everyday was another episode of Indiana Jones. We never really got into big trouble. But we lived each day as if the world was open to us for the first time.

As the summer grew hotter we had to find new ways to cool off from the Iowa summer heat. Our travels eventually led us to a great place known as Dunning Springs. Just at the edge of town.

We would race to the springs. Climb the side hill to a little waterfall and step into the water. Leaning into the falls the cold spring water would run over our bodies, cooling us from the summer heat. It not only cooled our skin, but it felt as if the cold water was flowing through the core of our bodies. What an incredible feeling. Refreshed and drenched we would jump on our bikes and continue the day’s adventure.

I realized today. That is the exact feeling you get when you forgive others. All the weight of un-forgiveness is washed away as the spirit of God that lives inside us, flows through the core of our being and sets us free. The heat of the hate and anger is washed away and the freedom that Christ gives us flows through us just like standing in that waterfall. Forgiveness brings Peace Like a river flows.

Oh, The bike back then. It was a 5 speed Schwinn Stingray, with a stick shift. It was the coolest thing on the road. Isn't life great!