My family and I spent a relaxing day and night last weekend camped out beside the New River. Literature I found and read about the New, made claims on it being the world’s second oldest river, about the purity of its waters, and even of the kinds and availability of fish. Different groups, from nature conservationists to outdoor adventure enthusiasts publish their own claims about the grand old river each hoping to prove a different point, or draw a different conclusion. The publications and information were so varied; you might think they were each talking about a different river.

They were, of course, all talking about the same body of water. And there was one common denominator which each piece of literature brought out. All the information I read made it a point to mention one important fact about the New River. The New is the only “major” river in the world that flows South to North. WikiPedia says the following about this interesting tidbit which makes the New unique:

The New River flows in a generally south to north course, which is against the southwest to northeast topology of the Appalachian Mountains and the west to east flow of most other nearby major rivers especially in Virginia and North Carolina.

The New River goes against the topology, it flows opposite all the other rivers around it.

Isn’t that exactly what Christians are supposed to do? Aren’t we supposed to “flow opposite” the world around us?

In Paul’s letter to the Romans (chapter 12, verse 2) he warns us not to be “conformed to this world.” He challenges us to renew our minds daily that we might prove the perfect will of God.

When you jump on a tube, and let the peaceful flow of the New take you for a leisurely ride, you hardly know that you are going against the grain, flowing, as it were, south to north. But believe me, there is a renewing that comes from the peace, serenity, and calm that you experience.

My guess is that when we Christians get it right, and go against the grain, if we flow south to north, it will not be nearly as peaceful. For ours is a journey, not against topology, but against culture. And unlike the river, we must not simply take the path of least resistance. But I do believe we will find our way to “what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of God” if we do.