On Sailing and Obedience — Amanda Conquers

I picture this sailboat.

Red

with big white sails. Out on the open ocean.

I imagine the wind in my hair, the regret

at not putting my now-wind-frazzled hair in a ponytail,

the taste of sea and salt in my mouth,

gulls flying.

I think of how I may want

to get somewhere.

I know very little about sailing, but I do

know that you use the wind

to get you places.

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I think of God.

And how sometimes I can do something that I know God has put on my heart to do

and somehow I have the energy

and the strength

that propels me forward.

Wind in sails.

Obedience.

I think of how sometimes I get focused on the future

and where I want to be

and how it feels like I am not getting anywhere,

and I pull out my oars.

I try

to make things happen on my own.

I deplete my strength,

I get exhausted,

and I seem to not really go anywhere—

especially for all my efforts.

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Striving.

I think on how timing

and direction

are important with sailing.

So it is with God’s plans.

The word striving comes from the word strife—

and it’s true.

Striving is to be at strife with God’s Will—

or just His timing—

or just His direction.

Like rowing against the wind.

I think of the way that I can toil

and work

and spin

my metaphorical wheels, and seem to get nowhere

besides tired.

I think of the way

I sometimes sense this stirring

in my heart,

like an open book

with pages fluttering forward

by the invisible fingers of the wind

open at the command

of a breezy day.

God is moving

and I line myself up

with His Will

and I move forward,

easily,

almost effortlessly.

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“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8

Friends, I have seen God move here in this writing and on this blog. I have seen Him propel me forward. But I have also seen myself try way too hard, exhaust myself to no avail, and come painfully close to burn-out. I am thinking on this right now. On striving and obedience. More than I want to get somewhere; I want to obey.

What do you think? Do you see this in your life… the rowing and the wind?? The striving and the obedience?? Love to hear your thoughts!

By Grace,

Amanda

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