I was the last canoe in our 9 boat envoy down the Buffalo River in Arkansas. It was around 10 in the morning and we were ready to enjoy a day on the water. We were just getting started on the day’s float when I saw something that caught my eye. All the other boats had passed this treasure that was sitting on the bottom of the river, so I felt obliged to savor the moment. “Hey, Bo! I found a Yeti” I proclaimed. “No way” he replied.
I back paddled and steadied for a dip into the water. Hopping over the port side, the cool water was a little uncomfortable, so I made quick work of unlosing the stuck stainless steel cup from the rocks below. In just a few seconds, I was holding an algae covered, snail infested, dented, and beat up 30 oz Yeti tumbler. It still had the lid attached, but was full of river water. The inside was almost black and there was no telling how long it had been wedged between those rocks halfway down the Buffalo. My guess is that when the water was running higher and rougher, the cup fell out of someone’s boat. For months that cup waited to raised from the depths of the river and it finally found a new home with me. Yay, me!
In life we often get thrown overboard and find ourselves sitting on the bottom. We wait and wait while the waters of time keep rising. It’s in those times we feel like we are drowning and it’s easy to lose hope. Just like that cup, life’s mishaps leave us feeling beat up and trapped. When you are on the bottom, it’s easy to think you’ll stay there forever. When we are on the bottom, life seems to pass us by just like the water in that river. When life’s boat gets rocked, we can end up feeling just as alone and left behind as that Yeti cup.
In reflecting on my unexpected treasure, I realize that what made this moment so powerful was the value of what I found. This was no red Solo cup. This was nicer than a Tervis. Heck, it wasn’t even the Ozark Trail knock off! This was the real deal: a Yeti. You know the ones. Even priced at $40 they were were sold out just after last Thanksgiving because EVERYONE wanted to get them for Christmas presents. Once the store shelves were empty, people resorted to selling them on Amazon and Ebay for up to $80! Almost a year later, I found one at the bottom of a river
More than a Yeti tumbler, your life matters. Your value has not declined because you have aged. That broken relationship or job loss didn’t make your stock go down, either. You might be nicked up and water logged from a rough few months, but you will be lifted from the bottom and put back to use. You might have some well worn wear marks that come from going through a rough spot on life’s river. The first few boats might seem to pass you by, but make no mistake: You won’t be on the bottom forever!
Recovery from the bottom is at the heart of the gospel. Jesus’ famous stories of the lost coin, lost sheep, and lost son all proclaim recovery. The story ends this way: “This brother of yours was dead, and he’s alive! He was lost, and he’s found!’” (Luke 15:32). Our community is full of counsellors, pastors, advisors, therapists, and specialists who focus on helping restore those who have found themselves on the bottom. We believe that your life matters and that you still have a future. We want your life to be full of joy and hope instead of the fear, resentment, and bitterness that fills us at the bottom. We are pulling for your rescue. We are seeking you out because we aren’t just looking at the surface!
I hope that the next time you take a sip out of your tumbler, whatever brand it might be, that you take time to remember those who are still struggling at the bottom. Remember when you were there. Take a little time to look for those who are trapped and have a few bangs and bruises from life. Jump in and help. To be a rescuer, you have to go to where you are needed: at the bottom. Get wet. Get busy. You might be the last boat for a while and you might just uncover a treasure that will bless your life for a long time to come!
Love one. Love another.
Jack
*This article is also published in the Gulf Breeze News, Oct 13, 2016 edition