You began your
journey passionately with skills, resources and good
intentions. You were on a mission for God! However, once you reached midway
in the journey,
you realized your resources have dried up. It almost seems
God has intentionally destroyed all the tools you have - your money, your
food supplies, and your sails are damaged. Even your engine has broken.
And to make matters
worse, your oars were lost overboard. You are stuck in the
middle of the ocean and there is no wind to propel your boat. You are, as
they say, "up the creek without a paddle."
All of this
leads you to the end of yourself and you say, "Lord, I don't
know why you brought me out here only to die. I did this for you! I am
giving my life for you through this enterprise!" The silence is
deafening.
Finally, the
Lord speaks, "Yes, you are right. I did bring you out here. I
did destroy your sails. I did break your engine. And yes, I do want you
dead. Not in a physical sense, mind you, but in a spiritual sense. In
order that you may live, you see, I want to provide the wind for your
sail. It is not your skill I need. I want to provide the waves to turn
your boat. I want to use that broken sail to demonstrate my power. All I
want you to do is put your hand on the wheel and let me show you how I can
work through you. It is not your skill I need, it is your
cooperation."
"You see my
child, you are nothing without Me. You cannot do anything without my grace
and power in your life."
The sailor quietly yields. Suddenly, a
gentle wave lifts the front of the boat. An easterly wind blows through
the broken sail moving the boat in the right direction. All he has
to do is guide the boat. God is moving through him.
Do your sails no
longer have wind to move you? Is your engine broken? Does it feel like God
has propelled you into the open sea only to stop midway with no options?
Perhaps He is saying it is time to die in order that He might live through
you. Give the Lord total control today and you will see His wind moving
you with your tattered sails.
He
stilled the storm to a whisper, the waves of the sea were hushed. They
were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.
By
Os Hillman
When
we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God
wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot. Thank God for what you
have. Trust Him for what you need.
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Tim
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