As we traveled down the Intra Coastal Waterway on our sailing trip yesterday, we came to several sets of range markers along the way. The range markers are a great help in this narrow channel of water as a navigator tries to move along without running aground.The ICW has sections where it is very easy to run aground if you aren't paying attention. At certain places, if you veer even 10-12 feet off the deepest part of the channel you will run aground. That's why the range markers are there.
The range markers are two signs at the shore line ahead of you. The goal is to position your boat so that the markers are in perfect alignment with each other. In other words, you get them both in front of you so perfectly that you can only actually see one of them. If you see both markers, you know you aren't in line and risk running aground. If you see only one, you know they are in perfect alignment and you can proceed safely forward.
These range markers caused me to think again about God's will for our lives. The markers could represent your desires and the Word of God. When our wishes and God's Word are in perfect alignment, we can move forward without any concerns at all that we are going to create problems for ourselves.
God will never lead us in a way that is out of line with His word. If we want something that contradicts the Word of God, it can't be God's will for us. On the other hand, as long as our wishes aren't out of line with His Word, we can move forward with confidence that we are on the right course.
What do you want to do? Does your wish align itself with God's Word? If so, sail on in confidence!
Thank you! I needed this message in order to shake off some troubled thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThe Word of God is our absolute authority and lighthouse or range markers if you will that will keep us from the various troubles, temptations, and trials contrary to God's good nature James 1:2,3,12. Trust God and obey but do then what you want as it is allowed by passing the test of rigorous scripture references. We can keep our sails into the high winds of life with confidence knowing they are being constantly aligned with the Bible and kept from the shore and we can wish determined to obtain and live entirely happy going after our hobbies. A love for God and life of service to others is overall our intent. Through Christ our Lord, Dave Candel
ReplyDeleteGrace could be one marker and mercy the other. Mercy is not getting what you deserve and grace is getting what you don't deserve. When our attitude about them is right they're aligned and our attitude tends to be right. Desire becomes controlled by the Holy Spirit's temperment. David Candel
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