On a sailboat we depend on the wind for our strength. If there is no wind, we have no propulsion. We are, to speak a familiar phrase, dead in the water.
When the wind does blow, we have to deal with it as it comes. We cannot say, “Blow from this direction, Wind,” or, “Blow from that direction, Wind.” It comes from the direction it will, without regards to what we want it to do.
To the inexperienced, the only option seems to be to run with the wind. That means to let the wind blow us the direction it chooses. Running with the wind is fast, too, and it gives us a sense of thrill, as if we’re going somewhere and getting there very quickly.
And we are, too. The only question is whether the wind is taking us where we need to go.
Experienced sailors know how to turn into the wind. Trim the sail this way, adjust that line to its most advantageous length, and we can sail directly into the wind.
This world is the wind. It will try to blow us the direction it will, without regards to where we need to go. We have to learn to turn into the wind, to tack back and forth, and to find the path God wants us to travel.
Let’s look at five verses that give us clear instructions on how to turn into the wind:
Tacking Maneuver #1 – Spend time with God-fearing believers.
1 Corinthians 5:11
“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.”
Tacking Maneuver #2 – Keep our eyes focused on Christ.
2 Timothy 4:1-2
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
Tacking Maneuver #3 – Compare what we’re taught against the Bible.
2 John 1:10-11
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”
Tacking Maneuver #4 – Make new believers feel at home in our churches.
Romans 15:7
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Tacking Maneuver #5 – Show the love of Christ to everyone we meet.
Colossians 3:12-14
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
The winds of this world will blow against us. Walking with Christ will not change that. Our goal is to use those very same winds to tack toward Christ, and to set an example the world will want to follow.
When we turn into the wind, we turn towards Jesus. In the midst of our troubles, we will find him every time.
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