Pray to God

“Pray to God, but continue to row to shore.” – Russian proverb

I like this little saying. It reminds me that my life is a participation in the life of God. One of the ways that God is helping me to shore is by working with me through my arms. However, this proverb seems to assume that of these two – praying and rowing – it is the rowing that I am more likely to forget.

Personally, I’m pretty good at remembering to row. I like the feeling of it. I exert a force; I see myself move. And I think that I am doing it. I learn to trust in myself. This image of rowing our own little boats to shore is deeply engrained in the American identity of the self-made person. To have faith in oneself is part of our national ethic.

I’ve been rowing real hard this week. With the launch of Kairos – a new Sunday morning program for youth – there is much work to be done. The shore looks far off yet. Will we be there by Sunday? And if so, will there be any place to sit? (The new chairs are on back order.)

A parent and I were chatting at a basketball game this week. We were talking about Kairos, where we are now and what work remains to be done. She offered to help in all kinds of wonderful ways. She would talk to her friends, serve as a mentor, think of guest speakers, and encourage her son to sign up. And then, perhaps noticing a slightly frantic look in my eye, she offered one more thing: to pray to God.

Pray to God. Oh yeah, right. I was rowing alone again, wasn’t I? Anxiety will do that. I was trying to get to the shore by rowing harder and faster. Of course, what on earth would be the point of getting to the shore only to realize that God wasn’t in the boat? “For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?” (Mark 8:36)

We are not alone in the boat. Others travel with us. As the Body of Christ, we remind one another to seek a healthy balance of rowing and praying, which might sometimes require a rearranging of that Russian proverb.

Row to shore, but continue to pray to God.