I recently traveled to Maine. While I was there I went to a spot on the Maine coast. I was sitting there, writing, and not looking up for quite a few minutes. Finally, I looked up, and to my surprise, my view of the ocean was now replaced by a view of an enormous, bright orange cargo ship. Racing to the ship’s side were two Tug Boats. They were coming out of Portland Harbor to greet this visitor and guide it through the channel that leads between several islands, and eventually opens up into Portland Harbor. The ship was heavily loaded. She ran low in the channel. I have never sailed in these waters, but seeing the surrounding coastline, it is easy to understand that the channel is probably not of a simple contour. All around this coast there are craggy, granite, jutting ledges. One can assume that these juts are at varying depths and rise and fall under the water’s surface, just as they do all along the water’s edge on dry land.
These tugs are not small boats, but they are dwarfed in comparison to the mighty freighter that they escorted. When you look at the larger vessel, it seems impossible that it could need help. It seems stable in the water. The waters, although swelling on that particular windy day, were clearly no threat to this monster of a ship.
The danger that was presented to the ship, however, was not wind, weather or turbulent waters, but rather what lay beneath the surface, unseen. There lay treacherous rocks and sand bars that could rip a hull to shreds or cause her to go aground, thereby becoming unstable and capable of rolling over in the existing swells.
Watching the tugs safely guide her to her spot in the harbor reminded me of our life with the Lord. Each day we sail the seas of life. We are, for the most part, capable of navigating the waters, including the swells that come with a mild storm. We are, however, at the mercy of what troubles lie beneath, out of sight, and therefore outside of our own ability to navigate around them. Without help, guidance, we would surely go aground or wreck on the jutting, jagged rocks below. When we have Christ; we have the Holy Spirit to guide us. He knows the dangers and challenges that lie ahead and if we will listen to that still small voice, we too will be guided, lovingly and carefully through the challenges. It doesn’t mean that no challenges will come, only that we will take such a course through them as to minimize our damage and the impact on our vessel.
Take time today to go and listen to God. Let Him guide your paths and allow yourself to submit to Him and His ways. Be you therefore guided and protected, as you navigate your vessel through the open seas and the challenging ports that life presents to you. Sail on!
Blessings!

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