Have you been on a boat lately? It has been quite a while for me. I remember being on a sailboat with my uncle Nick at the helm. There were some trips I can recall going down the Nantahala River, whitewater rafting. And then there are forays out on the lake on a speedboat. As I think about those times, it helps me put into perspective who is really in control. Mostly I feel as though controlling the situations that come into life is the way to go, but it quickly becomes clear that sometimes out on the waters of life's adventure, relinquishing control is key to survival and helping me to see that God is sovereign.
"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable."- Isaiah 40:28
Out on a raft, white waters surrounding you, you learn some things: about working together as a team- a team you are committed to enjoy and endure the adventure with, about trusting that though there are rough waters- God has your back and your front and everything in between.
On the speedboat, we like to rev up the power and make our own waves and chart a course and we can surely feel good about how good we seem to navigate the waters. Unchecked, we can also find ourselves in trouble spots along the way. But it seems easy to power ourselves this way and that way and can even forget where we started from. But we were never meant to be in total control. That is God's domain, and He wants us, for our own good, to know He is able to maintain and sustain through any desolation and consolation.
"For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."- Jeremiah 29:11
On a sailboat, you learn to catch the wind. You know that you cannot really have control of the way the wind blows and therefore the way you will need to go can depend on making the best out of what you are given, day by day, moment after moment. Thankfully, God will gladly help us know the way, if only we ask and relinquish our sometimes stubborn hold on everything. As we walk in His resurrection power, newness of Life, we follow His lead, catch His wind, and let Him be glorified in our lives.
"Thank the Lord for His gracious care in bringing you safely this far. Thank Him that He will also continue to work on your behalf throughout the remainder of your life's pilgrimage. Reaffirm your trust in His faithfulness."- Cheryl V. Ford
A prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, please let me know Your direction and the courage to sail with You, remembering You are truly in complete control. Help me lean on Your everlasting arms, when the way is rough, and it does not seem to make sense. You are good, and I love you. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
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