Sailing On!

Living in a seaport community, I never tire of watching the boats out on the water. Last week my wife and I enjoyed a little time out on the water in our kayak. Bobbing gently out in the bay was actually therapeutic for my wife, having had a very busy day at work. Though our kayak is very buoyant and cuts through the water quite easily, we still do not venture out into stormy waters. However, it does amaze me how well some of the sailboats and other larger vessels handle the strong winds and high waves that can arise in our area. Heading directly into the waves rather than being broadsided by them helps keep the boats afloat. You see, it is not all the water on the outside that creates a problem, it is the smaller amount that gets inside the boat that can cause it to begin to sink.

Someone has said, "The Christian is not ruined by living in the world, but by the world living in him." [original source unknown] Yes, that is what begins to sink and ruin the life. This earthly realm does have its storms. Winds of worldliness blow against us and the world's wayward waves attempt to wash over and into our lives. (i.e. Ephesians 4:14) When such is recognized in our life we need to pump it back out so as to keep afloat.

In Jesus' prayer for His disciples prior to His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus stated. . .
"(14) I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, just AS I AM NOT OF THE WORLD. (15) I do NOT ASK THAT YOU TAKE THEM OUT OF THE WORLD, but that you KEEP THEM FROM THE EVIL ONE. (16) They are NOT OF THE WORLD, just AS I AM NOT OF THE WORLD." ( John 17:14-16 ESV)

It is challenging to be in the world. Being of the Lord, sometimes we just don't fit in. Recently a brother in our congregation described it as trying to put a square peg in a round hole. However, the real threat is when the world gets in us! We, like the Lord's disciples, are to remain in the world, but not of it. We are to keep the world's influences from swamping our life as we aim to influence it toward the Will of God. May we seek God's help in keeping us from "the evil one" so that our life may remain afloat as we sail on with the Lord piloting our life. Remember, it is the set of the sails, and not the gales, that determines the direction we go.

Have a great day SHOWING THE WAY TO GOD'S SAFE HARBOR!
Carl

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