Cruising Downstream, Laboring Upstream

I was once at a cottage for a men’s retreat and decided to join some friends as they explored a nearby river. We piled into a couple of canoes and set off downstream. We barely noticed when the current began to pick up, but eventually realized we were moving much faster than mere paddles could propel us. Soon enough we were heading down a series of rapids. There were no sheer drops, and no sharp rocks lurking beneath the surface, so we were in no danger. But slowly the thought dawned on us that