Sail On!

Reading your wake


"You can tell a lot about a ship as you look at its wake. If it is in a straight line, you get the feeling that the boat is steadily on course and that the captain is not dozing at the wheel.... if it is smooth and flat you know something about the speed of the boat. ... With people the same thing is true. As a person goes through life, he leaves behind a wake."  Integrity, Dr. Henry Cloud, 2005

That analogy captured my imagination. I thought about the wake left on life’s sea as I sail on by. Cloud observes that we leave a two-sided wake, relationships and tasks. We should remember that it isn't just how we accomplish those jobs we are assigned, but who we effect in the process.

As we evaluate the task side of our lives, it is important that we ask questions like -
- Am I completing tasks on time and without needless diversions?
- Do I understand the task and set my course to finish it?
- Is my work well done, worthy of review?
- Am I investing passion in my daily life, or draining energy from those around me?

On the relational side of our lives, there are important questions, too.
- Do I create hope and encourage?
- Do I build barriers and discourage?
- Are people glad that I have passed by?
- Are they relieved when I leave?
- Do I leave people enriched or exploited?

Sometimes the answers to such questions are obvious. In other situations discerning how we have performed or how we have interacted is not easy seen. Why? We are not the only ones creating a wake through life. Others bring their own personalities and programs into our lives. The smooth wake that we attempt to create is broken up by theirs. As their wake flows into ours, if we are at cross-purposes, the chop that is created can stir up a real tempest!

Speeding boats passing by on crossing courses leave the waters of their wake roiled and rough. Those who are fighting for recognition, critical of one another, or disagreeing about how to do the work, live with turbulence that draws most of the attention and energy of their lives, robbing them of effectiveness. Then, too, winds of difficulty can blow us off course! No matter how diligent we are at sail to steer a straight course, those gusts will cause us to sail a rather wandering course for a time. Christians who have come to unity about their calling, their purposes, and their methods move into formation and actually sail faster and with less energy expended!

We need to determine the course that God wants us to sail.
When the Spirit and the Word helps us to understand His ways; we catch the wind and – sail on!

We cannot adjust speed or course every time somebody makes an objection to our heading! Of critical importance is time alone with God that brings us understand of what He wants from us. Then, we sail on. When we commit ourselves to principled living and pray for His Spirit to keep us on course, the wake left behind us will be a good one. Yes, there will be moments of wavering, times of rough water, but overall the results and relationships will be positive.

Take a look at the wake you're leaving on life's sea. Is it straight and true? Does it show steady speed?
Don't just look close to the stern. Look toward the horizon, too; "unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2, KJV)

Here's a word from the Word for this day. Take this benediction and turn it into your prayerful petition today.

I am ... "praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you ...


As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul— not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us." (Colossians 1:9-12, The Message) Amen

__________________________



When we're all born we set out to sea,
Looking for answers continuously.
Then when we find out to Him we belong,
We watch for the sign and keep sailin' on.

Cast up your sails and let the wind blow,
Jesus will never let your ship lose control.
Just keep your compass set on the Son,
He'll guide you safely to His beautiful home.

Sail on, when the water gets high.
Sail on, when the wind starts to die.
Sail on, it's just a matter of minutes
'Til His ship comes to get us,
And we'll all get in it.

Sail On

Christian, Chris

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