We have been trying to track down where the different boats (launches and yachts) that we have owned over the years, are now. This brought back many memories, not the least the very first trip up the coast from where we had bought it, to our home port. At this time we knew very little about sailing, so it was a great learning curve for us. Not only that, but that very first trip brought us a whole range of different types of weather that could ever be found on the sea!
Leaving port early on the morning of that first trip, we found the whole area blanketed in a heavy fog. Horrors, what were we to do? But we had someone with us who could read a chart, and he was able to guide us through the fog from buoy to buoy marking the channel. This made me think of how we all need a chart to guide us through the intricacies of life. There is no-one apart from Jesus Christ who can do this for us. The main thing is that we have to trust his leading, even when we can’t see the reasons why. Finally the fog lifted, and we could see where we were after all…..we were right on course after all. Our guide had made no mistakes, and in the same way we can have complete confidence in our Heavenly Guide to keep us in the right way. We had a great sail the rest of the afternoon with a gentle breeze to the island where there was safe harbour to spend the night.
After this time of plain and pleasant sailing, we settled down for the night very pleased with our trip thus far. The next morning however, was a different story. The wind had gone around and was coming right in from the sea with lowering skies, and the weather looked decidedly ominous. We had no option but to carry on, as the crew wanted to get back to work the following day. It wasn’t long after we set off, that the wind began to rise, and continued to do so until it was reaching almost gale force. After battling this for a couple of hours, our guide said, “This is the last chance we have of getting some shelter before having about three hours of open sea to cross…..what do you think?“ The yacht gave a sudden lurch just then, and fell down a particularly steep wave, deciding us to make for shelter. In the storms of life, we find that things will get almost out of hand before we decide to take the shelter that God offers us. The sudden peace that such a course gives is past understanding! To hear the wind still howling in the trees on the headland while we sat in peace and quiet behind it, was wonderful! So it is as we take a course in life to escape the full force of the wind of trials and troubles to shelter in the promises of God. We can still hear the wind howling above us, but we remain untouched.
One thing about storms, is that they never last for ever! So on this trip, after a couple of hours, the front passed over, and the wind went around with the sea dropping enough to enable us to carry on with our voyage. There was still a strong wind blowing, but it was a kind wind to send us on our way, not a vicious one set on hindering our trip. This is what we will find during life….after the storms that beset us, there will come a time of relative peace. What we have learned through the storm, helps us to appreciate this wind that takes us along with a good speed, and to make the most of it. We may wonder what the purpose of this rough weather was, but it may not be for ourselves, as it all goes to make for experiences that we can encourage others by. Platitudes may not be much help to others, but the experiences that we have been through speak volumes to others in need.
Darkness began to fall by the time we reached the harbour we were aiming for. But the buoys here were well lit, marking the channel as we made our way to the mooring. Once again, the chart had it all well marked, and we made our way up the channel with full confidence. So as we follow the words in the Bible daily, we don’t need to be groping our way through our life hoping for the best. We just need to remember to profit by the storms we experience, and to encourage others in their walk as well. No one can argue with a real life experience!