Paddling in a Straight Line

I used to work during the summers at an adventure camp for middle and high school boys.  There was an emphasis on leadership and during the program each student was given the opportunity to lead.  It was rewarding to see the boys’ transformation over the two-week program.  They would develop strong friendships, gain confidence and spend a lot of time doing outside activities.  I thought it was a great way for young men to spend a couple of weeks of their summer.

One of my roles was to oversee the canoe challenge.  It would begin with an instructor teaching the boys how to use a canoe.  This part was done in an indoor swimming pool where the students would practice different paddle strokes, getting in and out of a canoe and how to right one if it capsized.  It was a safe environment and boys generally demonstrated enough aptitude to go to the next level. 

The next level was on a nearby lake.  The boys were organized into teams and the challenge was to canoe as fast as possible out to a set point (marked by a buoy) and then back again.  Our goal was to teach it just wasn’t good enough to understand the concepts of canoeing.  To actually learn how to canoe it would need to be practiced in the field, with a partner combined and some competitive pressure. 

I would stage the fleet of canoes on the shore each with two paddles and two life preservers.  I would give the boys a set of simple instructions and then say “GO!” and the fun would begin.  They would scramble to the canoes while trying to choose a partner and strap on a life preserver.  As they launched their canoe there would usually be some capsizing as both boys tried to get in at the same time.  It was fun, chaotic and a lot of real-life learning.

I would jump in the motorized safety boat and follow the fleet of young paddlers as the furiously dug into the water with their paddles to go as fast they could.  Some remembered the correct paddle strokes and how to work with their partner, others did not.   It was easy to tell which canoes understood the correct methods.  My job would be to follow the stragglers and provide suggestions on how to improve their progress.  It was also important to make sure one paddler didn’t start blaming the other which happened often.

One time, as I was following the slower group, I noticed one canoe veer off the course and head for shore.  I cruised over their way and reminded them where the course was and to get back on track.

“Yes, sir.  No problem,” was their answer.

I headed back to the main group.  We rounded the buoy and I noticed my off course canoe was still off course.  Somewhat chagrined, I went back over to them and more sternly told them to get back on course.

“Sorry sir, we will right away,” they replied.

This time I waited.  They paddled some more and did a circle right back to the same spot.  They looked at me with a certain amount of desperation on their faces and paddled harder.  They did another complete circle.  It was easy to see what the issue was, they were both paddling on the same side.  I went back over to them and before I could say anything they said,

“Sir, you gave us a canoe that doesn’t go in a straight line.”

The two boys did not realize that their combined efforts were causing them to go in circles.  They both had the best intentions and both believed they were headed in the direction, but their net effort left them off course and in the same place they started.  For whatever reason, they had ignored or not understood the basics of the instruction they had received.  After a few minutes of reminding them of some basic principles, they were able to successfully complete the course.

As I reflect on this story, it’s important for all of us to look to where our “canoe” is headed.  Everyday has its own set of challenges and in our attempts to paddle, steer and work with others, do we take time to reflect on the instructions or do we blame others or my circumstances? 

I am reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.