The Storms on the Horizon

Mike and I went for a walk around town and came across one of those small houses full of books (Take a Book. Share a Book. - Little Free Library). He looked at the titles and pulled out one on sailing. I had not thought about sailing for years. We had a sailboat for a few years while we lived in Durham and moored it in Clarksville, but my “growing up” years were on sailboats on Buggs Island Lake.

For the majority of my younger years, I enjoyed being on our sailboats. Dad discovered sailing as a very relaxing way to be on the water and away from the noise of telephones (work) and loud motors (work and powerboats). We had 3 sailboats and 1 powerboat over the years. (Robert wanted to water ski!)

During the really windy days, Dad loved it when the water began to splash over the side of the boat as it leaned dramatically into the water! Rachel DID NOT! But over the years, I became less afraid of the boat leaning and “tipping over” and came to really love it. So the art and love of sailing has never left me.

Mike and I began to reminisce. It was always important to be prepared for the trip. Our family rules were to tell someone before you go out on the water, always wear a floatation device and know how to swim. We talked about the significance of the tiller, which was used to steer the boat, and the two sails. The smaller one was the jib. The larger one was the mainsail.

Easing (letting out) and trimming (hauling in) the sails will determine how you sail. When the boat is moving upwind (wind blowing in your face), the sails should be tight or flat. You are sailing into the wind. If you have the wind blowing from behind you, the sails should be curved and full to catch as much wind as possible. If the bow goes too far directly into the wind, the wind will stop the boat, and you are “in irons, which is the no go zone.”

(Learning the Basics of Sailing | Discover Boating)

This was the most wonderful feeling – to glide through the water at top speed – and yes, there was usually water bouncing into the boat as it leaned to the side. There was a thrill of steering the boat to achieve the fastest ride versus steering too far beyond that point and suddenly stopping! A challenge!

As Mike and I talked about this, I began to see how we are sometimes like sailboats trying to travel through the calm, stormy or pleasant waters of life with our hands on the tiller, guiding us in the way we want to go.

We each begin our journey for the day. We are gliding in some pleasant waters when a storm comes along - very unexpected! You can see the waves begin to grow larger on the water as the wind increases. Yes, you are really moving faster now, regardless of the technique being used. If you can continue to steer the boat into the wind and in the direction you need to go, you will get through or out of the storm sooner, but you will feel the harsh effects from it. Hard-hitting rain drops that sting; lightning; wind; temperature drop. I remember!

But if the wind is blowing from a different way, which does not allow you to sail in the direction you need to go, what are your choices? On a sailboat, you can perform a technique to “zig-zag” from left to right in order to move forward down the lake. This technique will take you a LONG time to get out of the storm and to your destination. And you will still feel the effects of the storm.

Or you can always pull down the sails and start the gasoline motor (purchased just for this purpose) attached to the back of the boat and go as fast as you can to escape the storm. And, yes, you will still feel the effects of the storm. There is no way to escape them!

But what should we do about the storms of life? If we are like the sailboat, we will want to cut through the storm as quickly as possible, but we will get hammered with the effects of that storm. How do we persevere through or around these storms? How do we survive and get through them? What should we do?

A few years ago, a friend of my Mom’s shared this conversation when she was seeking guidance from Mom.

Friend:  Mildred, what do you do when things don’t go the way you wanted them to or expected them to?

Mom:  You accept them and go on.

Friend:  But how long should you wait to accept them?

Mom:  It is up to you, but the sooner you do, the happier you’ll be.

What truth! We must remember that “We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens.” Ephesians 6:12.

First, trust in God to lead you through EVERY storm. Remain calm and listen for His guidance. Keep your hand on the tiller and your eyes on Him.

Second, be prepared every day for any storm which may arise. Have you spent time with God, even if only for a couple of minutes? Have you read your Bible or a devotional daily? Have you listened to the words of praise and worship music or traditional hymns which teach us and encourage us? Have you talked with other godly friends on a regular basis? Have you spent time in God’s creation?

Third, put on the Armor of God from Ephesians 6:10-18: the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit.

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. 11 Put on God’s armor so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil. 

Ephesians 6:10-11, (CEB)

We know the storms of life will continue. Keep sailing into that storm with preparation, perseverance, and trust in God. Sometimes these storms come out of nowhere, and there is not much time to prepare or plan. Prepare every day; take the most direct course, and go forward with the God who never leaves your side!

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel