What’s your outlet for adventure? If you had a week to feed your soul and raise your sense of wellbeing, what would you do?

For me – for the last 45 years – white water rafting has been among my top-three choices. I’ve run over 5000 miles of America’s rivers: not as a customer on a commercial day-trip, but at the oars of my own boat.

Rivers are rated using the Int’l Scale of River Difficulty; they range from Class I – VI. Class I water is kid-friendly; mild waves make for family fun. Class II picks up the pace: waves up to 3’, and the excitement builds. Class III commands your attention: waves up to 4’, with navigational nuances that require expertise and attention. Class IV is no place for amateurs: rocks, suck-holes and narrow passages leave no room for miscalls. Class V is the high-end of whitewater expertise: navigable for those with proven competence, but life-threatening for the casual floater. Class VI is no-man’s land: no one goes there on-purpose; this is “un-runnable” and avoided by anyone who knows the ropes; death is likely.

When considering a 10-mile stretch of river, you need have the big picture. There may be seven miles of Class II/III fun stretches, ideal for water fights and rock jumping. Two and a half miles of Class IV bring you to serious attention, scouting and deliberate direction. Then, the half-mile at Mile 6 – rated at Class V – becomes the defining section. Portage (carry around) or scout the route and lock-in for the chance to prove your expertise. The entire 10-mile stretch is rated Class V, because of one rapid.

Too bad we don’t have an Int’l Scale for the difficulties of life. Most of life is Class I or II, with daily ripples and breezes making it a refreshing opportunity to celebrate life. Sometimes, we round a corner and find Class III or IV section with waves crashing on rocks creating hydraulics that put us into near-panic mode as we fight to stay dry and not flip the boat. Then… there are those moments when a Class V rapid becomes unavoidable, and life becomes challenged in ways that offer no guarantees of outcome.

The great men and women of Bible History had lives much like ours. Lots of bouncy fun stretches where life was manageable and happy days were frequent. Occasional Class IV moments would descend on them – often without warning – but they refined their skills in navigating a life that honors God in the challenging-but-survivable moments that mirror sections of our own stories.     

In Daniel’s generation, life turned tough for the Jews in the Southern Kingdom. Overcome by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire, the elite of the Hebrew community were taken to Babylon in an attempt to fuse them into the Babylonian culture. Daniel and his three friends – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – negotiated special treatment (sustaining their Jewish diet limitations) and had the best situation that high-level hostages could hope for. They were assigned desirable positions in government.

Class II, for awhile. Then, Nebuchadnezzar promoted himself to deity: he created a 90-foot gold image of himself and ordered all of the high-level leaders to bow before it and worship.

For Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that was a deal-point. When the group homage occurred, they opted-out and were prepared for the consequences.

Nebuchadnezzar was furious. He brought them before him to remind them of the death sentence they were choosing: they would be thrown into a fiery furnace that was unsurvivable. What would they do?

Here’s their response to a Class VI challenge: “(They) replied to him, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’ ”

You know what happened: God showed up in the furnace. Rescue is not the promise of God; His presence in any Class of Life challenge is what He’s committed to provide.

How’s the float right now, for you? Class II, having a good time? Congratulations. Class IV, with some serious challenges bearing down on you that could ruin everything? Great time to work on your life navigation skills, with God’s insight paramount. Right now, I’m in a Class V stretch that could shift to Class VI before it’s over. What’s my best move?

The God I serve is able to deliver me from this, but even if He doesn’t, He’s still the only God before whom I’ll bow.