Still sailing smoothly?

Often I get my inspiration from my immediate surroundings and more often than not they come across the screen of my mind during my almost daily half hour commute by high speed catamaran from our home into the bustling megalopolis of Hong Kong.  Yesterday as I mused my way along, I found myself contemplating the many container ships on my left and right, all heavily loaded and on their way through the harbor channel and out into the open ocean.

"How do they navigate the heavy seas and how do those containers keep from toppling off with no guard rails?"  These were some of the roamings through my head as I watched one particularly heavy laden barge heading out to London.  Several thoughts came to mind and I found myself thinking about parallels in our Christian 'sail.'.(Slight change in terminology from the over used Christian 'walk').  We all know our journey can be anything but 'smooth sailing' although I need to thankfully acknowledge that my sail is most pleasant at the moment.

If yours is turbulent or at least rocky maybe this check list will help:

• Note the broad base on the ships....how's your prayer support?
• Navigation system....are you listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and then more importantly, obeying them?
• In the rough seas and the fog...how's your radar system...are you up to date in your communication with your supporters and prayer partners?
• All ships have a water mark.  If the cargo on board is too heavy and weighing down the ship too much, the water level rises above the water mark signaling danger....have you taken on to much ministry or responsibilities in general?
• What about balance.  All modern day vessels have great stabilizers that make sure things stay balanced correctly.  How about your accountability partners?  Are they actively involved in your life?
• Only God knows what kind of seas and climate changes are actually out there despite all our wannabe expertise in predictions...so the obvious...who's at the Helm?  Is it the Captain or just the First Mate?

Believe me, I got convicted myself on a lot of these.  Nevertheless I hope you found them not condemnatory, but helpful in an "I'd rather Be Sailing" kind of mode.

Your friend and fellow sailor,
Carol Kauffman

"This command I entrust to you Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may fight the good fight, Keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith."    I Timothy 1: 18,19.