Stay the Course

Here we are in February and life seems to have picked up the usual pace leaving the leisure of the holidays far behind. However, I find myself in a refreshingly different state than I did at this time last year. I’m still holding strong to my new year’s resolutions, and I have even added a few more to the list. I find I’m still motivated, full of energy and pleasantly fulfilled. I’ve been trying to figure out what is different about this year, and why I’m able to say “so far, so good.”

I keep coming back to a message our Pastor preached back in November. It was entitled “Stay the Course.” Pastor spoke about how going on a recent cruise had taught him a lot about spiritual things. He marveled at the ability of the ship to stay on course and arrive at it’s destination on time in spite of the rough waters it traversed. The ship, though a modern masterpiece of nautical engineering, and quite a massive one at that, is but a small vessel in comparison to the vast sea that surrounds it. It floats atop a most unstable and inconsistent surface, and is vulnerable to some of the world’s most violent weather. Still the ship sails on.

Pastor encouraged us to not let the waves of life and the inconsistencies it often brings to be a deterant or distraction from our destination. To stay focused, and determined, faithful, and committed. A seemingly simple and common sense bit of wisdom that has completely changed my perspective. This new year has not been without it’s waves, but it has been without fear or worry. It hasn’t been without trial, but it has been without confusion. I seem so sure of my direction and unafraid of the crashing economy or other things around me. The ship doesn’t dodge the waves, it rides them. Not until a wave overtakes the ship does it surrender to the power of the ocean. That’s where His grace comes in. He will be there if and when we find our vessel filled with water and sinking. Though it won’t worry Him. Just like in the Word, He will probably be sleeping in the back of the boat, not paying a bit of attention to the waves.

(Mark 4:37-40 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full . And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish ? And he arose , and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace , be still .And the wind ceased , and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? )

Add Comments

Name:
Email:
Location:
URL:
Comment:
	Remember my personal information
	Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please enter the word you see in the image below: