“If life is a river, then pursuing Christ requires swimming upstream.”
— Francis Chan
Simplified Meaning:
Living a good and meaningful life can be compared to swimming against the current of a river. This means that, just like how it's tough to swim upstream, following a path that includes good morals and values often feels challenging. Most people might go with the flow, making easier but less thoughtful choices, while choosing to follow a path of integrity and faith, like following Christ, can demand effort and dedication. For example, imagine you’re in school and everyone is cheating on a test to get better grades. It’s easier to join them than to be honest and study hard. However, by not cheating, you're like a swimmer going against the river’s current—it's harder, but it’s the right thing to do. Over time, your hard work and honesty will build your character and earn you respect. Applying this to your life means being prepared to face difficulties and challenges when you stick to your beliefs and values, even when others do not. It’s about making tough choices that might not seem popular but are ultimately right and beneficial for personal growth and integrity.
