It’s a “Nor-easterly!” they warned.
About to understand their caution we set off going with the wind. This meant our return would require going into the wind.
On that day the Nor-easterly began as a strong breeze – not too noticeable; especially as the wind was to our backs. Such is the condition of our lives: we go with the crowd; we wind down; but the crowd tries to surge us on. At first we were willing. Not now. We sense the danger.
As the wind increased, even to our backside, we took note of the rising waves. Up, up, we would rise; and then we would be plunged ahead and down again. Our choice mattered not at all. Our little motor worked alongside the overwhelming power of nature’s propulsion.
To the North and East, further than the eye could see, waves began rolling on top of one another. Our boat would settle in what appeared like below sea level ponds and then catapulted the direction of our destination such that we seemed to be above the sea looking down upon the turmoil. Then we’d race again into the ponds: up and down, to and fro – something “bigger than I” claiming control of our little boat.
King David wrote, “My enemy is stronger than I;” but he grasped that God’s power was greater. How did he win over enemies against which he alone was no match? (Psalm 142:6)
Our defense was our little outboard motor, the wide ‘V’ of our little twelve foot boat, and our navigation skill. Our challenge was to stay afloat and to navigate toward the distant shore. We needed to navigate directly into that mighty Nor-easterly and into the mountainous waves.
There, at our launch site, was the safe haven we so wanted to reach.
Our safety was not there. Our safety had to be with us in the storm. Without sufficient safety resources, we would not be telling our story. Such is the true gospel of abiding in Christ.
“Looking unto Jesus; the author and finisher of our faith: even as some will say that He was a victim, we know that He was the Victor and that He gave His life for us. He won! He wins yet! And, at the moment perfect for so doing, He will consummate the world history which He set into play. He is coming again; but we can abide in Him now: we must, and we can; by continual faith.
Little steps we took: up one wave; then another, and a thousand more. “Steady as she goes,” they say. Our engine didn’t let us down. Our ‘wide V’ proved itself sail-worthy. We reached our destination. Christianity is this. Many seem to have fallen along the way. They killed the prophets of God; but, not really: no more than the killed the King of Kings.
So, we look to Him. We let Him author faith within our being. We see that this life was a beginning and not meant to be the end. We join in with Him and a host of comrades. We “abide in Him.” We refuse to be moved from our Rock and our Refuge – from the surety He gives when our faith is our practice.
The shore – it’s less important, because the author and finisher of my faith-shores me up. And, the journey sometimes is through very stormy waters with Him guiding, comforting and keeping. To abide in Him is the normal Christian life.
Buddy