Struggling To Keep On Course

Psalm 5:8 – Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. (KJV)

Hebrews 12:2-3 – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (NIV)

Heading out into the Gulf of Mexico, I took my turn at the wheel of a thirty-six-foot trawler. Having never done anything like this before, I found it a challenging task. The wind was blowing right across the bow of the boat as we were clicking along at about eight knots. We had just passed our last marker in sight of land. I searched for the next marker and suddenly found what seemed a dot on the horizon. I lined up the nose of the boat with that dot and fought diligently to keep on course. With the wind wanting to turn the boat around, I struggled, turning her nose back into the wind, then having cut too far, I brought her around again, all the time keeping my eye on the marker.

While doing this I thought of how we struggle to keep our focus on God, with all the trials in life. Sometimes our tasks become like fighting to keep on course while the wind is trying to turn us around. Using Jesus as our marker and trusting in Him for guidance, we will succeed in reaching the goal set out for us in eternity. Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus as we steer our way through life. Let us not grow weary or lose heart along the way. May we continue to keep focused, struggling to keep on course.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, keep us focused on Jesus, our marker, who stands before us in all the storms of life. We pray for guidance, trusting in You and praying in Jesus' name. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share this devotional on Facebook     Like PresbyCan on Facebook