Charting A Course

Acts 27:41 – But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. (NIV)

On a boat trip from Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada, to Marathon, in the Florida Keys, USA, I discovered the value of charting a course, staying in the centre of the channel, and watching the depth of the water.

As we travelled along, I saw the result of drifting off course. On a shoal in the Gulf of Mexico, just north of the Florida Keys, pitched on its side, was the wreck of a vessel, covered with birds using it as a perch. All the things of any value had been stripped away.

This is how our lives can become when we drift or wander off the course God has planned for us. We find ourselves helpless, stripped of all our worth, aground and unable to move forward. Fortunately, God has a "Coast Guard" of forgiveness and restoration, which He sends to our rescue when we make a distress call in repentance, humility and faith.

God has given us the chart of life in His word, the Bible. Without that, we become too shallow in our thinking, and, lacking the depth of the word of God, we endanger ourselves on the shoals of life. To make sure we do not run aground, we can keep in the main stream of life, run deep, and watch for the channel markers, by studying and reading God's word each day.

Prayer: Into your hands, oh Lord, do we commend our spirits. Help us to steady ourselves and keep on a straight course. It is not easy and we need Your help and direction. Heavenly Father, we thank You that we can come to You to make our way in life, knowing You are our navigator. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.