Navigating this Life
\“The slave to the compass has freedom of the seas. The rest must sail close to the shore.” (Old sailor’s proverb)
A Choice to Raise the Sails
When we choose to wholeheartedly follow Jesus, we often leave our comfortable, familiar way of life behind.
That’s why choosing to sail out by faith, not sight, is often so stressful. We don’t know where we’re going. Or what’s going to happen to us next. We simply have to trust in a new navigator, who sets our course.
Many believers think it’s better to hug the shoreline or anchor just off the coast. It’s too scary out there. Let’s forget about sailing to another destination.
But for those who are committed to obediently follow Christ—no matter what the cost—the Christian life can turn into a powerful voyage, full of the unexpected.
Guidance on the High Seas
We have two things going for us.
The Scriptures function as our compass. The needle always points to “true north,” keeping us morally centered in the will of God. The Holy Spirit works as our navigator, plotting our course. He knows how to guide us as we travel through life. Sometimes a compass reading indicates the ship we sail is drifting a little off course. The map—the direction we should go and what we should do next—is guided by the Spirit.
But the Holy Spirit doesn’t steer.
In the natural, the captain can always overrule the navigator, choosing to travel in a different direction. Sometimes a foolish leader wrecks his ship on a rocky coastline. Or gets stuck on a sandbar, where large waves often batter stranded ships to pieces. At other times, a wayward captain can get his crew helplessly lost, running them low on food and fresh water. Or disregard wise advice and sail out at the wrong time of year, when fierce winter storms occur.
We can ignore our navigator’s advice too. The Holy Spirit gives us a nudge. He puts something on our heart. Or highlights a Scripture. Out of fear, insecurity or laziness we disobey the Spirit’s guidance—and fail to do the life-changing ministry or task that the Lord had for us.
We can miss out. Remain anchored in the harbor, gently rocking in the night, as the tide rolls in and out. Stagnant and bored. Weak and lazy.
Or we can choose to obey and find out what God has in mind.
Trust the Navigator
If we get in over our heads, we can cling to the Lord and stay afloat. It’s during those times that we change and mature the most. Because we find out about God’s trustworthiness when He moves in unexpected ways.
This image came from Pixabay.com
