In my freshman year in college, there was a group of acquaintances who planned to go canoeing down the Whitewater River. I made the decision to join them.

There were many things I didn’t take into consideration in that quick decision.

1)  I was a weakling. I never had upper strength…did I believe that I miraculously gained some while away at Bible college? Well, I didn’t. I was as weak as ever.

2) I didn’t know anything about canoeing! The proper procedures. The skill involved.

3) I couldn’t swim. Now you would think that growing up on a beautiful lake in Upstate New York would have given plenty of opportunity to learn…not really. I suppose if I absolutely had to save myself I could dog paddle.

4) Could two young college girls maneuver a canoe on their own? Even when neither of them were capable of doing so?

Well I said “yes” and I was going. None of these issues were going to keep me in the dorm on a beautiful fall day.

Things seemed to be going smoothly until we hit an area that had a little swarm of rapids. The canoes in front of ours began to have some trouble. The experienced canoers scrambled to help leaving the inexperienced canoers to pass right by the group.

My friend and I looked at one another. We were quickly moving further and further away from those we looked to for guidance. We tried to guide our canoe to a small island in the middle of the river, but we really didn’t know what we were doing. We passed the first island.

Now we began to panic. As another island came into view, I didn’t know what else to do except jump out of the canoe and try to reach the island from the water.

Since that moment, I’ve grown up a bit. Matured a lot. And I’ve seen adventure shows. I know that in that was the worst mistake I could have made. There could have been unseen debris in the water. There could have been areas of suction to pull me under. The water in that area could have been deep. It really was a poor decision.

But, decision made, there was no way I was able to stop myself. I was committed to being in the water with all the dangers around me.

There are times, however, when we need to stop what we are doing, sometimes right in the middle of it. Words of discouragement flowing from our mouths. Improper thoughts. Actions that simply are not very Christ-like. In the moments we are caught up in sin, we must stop. Get away from the situation and head toward God.

In Scripture, we find some examples of when we are to stop. Let’s see what God has to say.

The first thing we must stop is sinning. Isaiah 1:16b-17a and 1 Corinthians 15:34a share the same thought. “Stop doing wrong, learn to do right.” (NIV) “Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning.” (NIV)

Let’s remember, if we are going to remove a behavior from our lives, we must replace it with something else. Isaiah says to learn to do right. Fill the void with good as you stop doing wrong.

1 Corinthians 14:20 (NIV) reminds us to “Stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” We need to grow up and stop acting like children when it comes to our spiritual lives! We need to put aside evil, sinful thoughts and get into God’s Word. Get to the “meat” and become spiritual adults. Learn what God has to say about all areas of your life. Then you will stop thinking like a child.

Then there are a few things we are to do in relation to others. Romans 14:13 (NIV) says to stop judging. “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.”

Judging. It’s something we’re good at. But God clearly states that it’s not our job. Our job is to keep others from stumbling by making sure our lives are following the path God has laid before us. Another great example of what we are to fill the emptiness with. God’s love for others.

And in John 6:43 (NIV), Jesus was speaking to a group of Jews, but His words speak to me. “Stop grumbling among yourselves.” I find myself falling into this trap over and over. Grumbling. Complaining. Believing that I could do better. Hah!

Perhaps I could do better, but guess what? I wasn’t asked to do it! Someone with more qualifications, more abilities, more anything was asked. My role is to support. Lift up. Encourage. Not grumble.

Finally I’d like to look at a verse that brings everything into perspective. In the book of Job, God’s faithful and eloquent servant, Elihu, presents God’s case to Job. Over and over, Elihu brings Job to an understanding of God’s goodness.

In Job 37:14 (NIV), Elihu asks Job to “Stop and consider God’s wonders.” When we adopt this view of life, we too, will not be able to contain the joy, love, or hope within us. These qualities, God’s qualities will flow from us.

God’s wonders. They are boundless. They are limitless. They are amazing.

I encourage you to stop. Right now. Stop and spend some time praising God for who He is. For what He has done. For what He is preparing to do. Then inquire what He desires for you. What He is asking you to do.

He might reply with “stop.” Stop sinning. Stop thinking like a child. Stop judging. Stop grumbling. Stop and consider. Stop.

Stop. Get out of the situation, way of thinking, or busyness of life. And then, run to God.

God was with our little group of Bible college students that day. My feet barely touched the bottom of the river. I was able to pull my companion and canoe to the little island. We were all safe. But had I stopped to think, I wouldn’t have been in the situation in the first place.

What situation do you need to get out of?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna