Senseless Drifting

For all intents and purposes, sails and rudders on old schooners, frigates and galleons of their time and sailboats of every type and category, today, do what they were designed to do if implemented properly.  Without sails and rudders doing their job, a vessel will drift aimlessly atop rolling seas and pushed to and fro whichever direction the wind blows. 

Changing tides, which are the periodic rising and falling of large bodies of water caused by the gravitational attraction of the moon, can also influence direction especially if a ship is near estuary entrances, narrow straits and inlets.  The speed of tidal currents in these areas can reach up to several kilometers per hour (1 kph = 0.62137 mph).   

In the open ocean, tidal currents are relatively weak, but can be disconcerting if a rudder or the sails are inoperable or if the helm and rigging are unmanned for whatever reason.  It is a terrible thing to be caught in open waters without the ability to maneuver the bow of the vessel (the most forward part of the hull) into the waves.

The inability for humanity to control their direction in life, without Christ, is like being on a disabled ship that is subject to its surrounds, or sitting on a raft in the middle of the ocean; hoping that someone will find them before the inevitable happens.

It’s not so much being adrift on a raft that brings discomfort and pain; it is the lack of shelter from the hot, scorching sun, and the harshness of the elements around them.  The lack of food and pure, drinking water ultimately claim a person’s life. 

I personally know people that are adrift on rafts of their own making, in surroundings of their own choosing, with little hope for survival.  Their senseless drifting could stop in a moment of time if they would assess the dilemma that they are in and realize that there is no set direction for their life.  But their unwillingness to allow Jesus, their only hope, to save them from the quandary that surrounds them has set their drifting on a perilous journey. 

Misdirected people have allowed themselves to remain lost, by choice, because of their haughty or self-sufficient attitude… “If I can’t do it no-body can.”  So they exist in peril, because of a prideful spirit; refusing the outstretched hand of the Lord, while saying by their actions, “I’d rather do it myself.”

They need only to consider the wonderful things that God provides; the necessities of life.  His well balanced diet-of-truth is in the Holy Bible.  It is sad when people refuse to partake of its sustenance in their weakened state, whereas, if they would eat the meat of God’s Word and drink from the springs of living water that flow from His throne, they would live.  The Bible provides good, spiritual health and direction for life’s journey if we live according to its statutes.  Senseless drifting can cease once and for all. 

Abiding in the protection of God’s Word keeps us from wandering, because living in truth satisfies the deep longing of all those that are adrift without hope.  Any person that remains adrift in uncharted waters is there because they have chosen to do so.  God desires so much more for them than what rafting around in sin can provide.  Sin gives nothing more than an unquenchable thirst for more, whereas, God satisfies forevermore. 

Jesus would become the Savior of their directionless soul if only they would reach up and take His hand.  This is done by saying a simple prayer.  “God forgive me of my sins.  I want Jesus to be Lord and Savior of my soul.”  Jesus is the hope for those that are lost; without direction.

The Bible says that today is the day of salvation.  A person should not wait until tomorrow what they should do today.  No-one has an assurance that they will even see tomorrow.  We must be ready to meet God at any split second, should He call our name.

Too often, self-reliant, self-contained individuals persist in their everyday struggles, because of procrastination.  “I’ll give my heart to Jesus on my deathbed” is what they imagine.   They are impetuous people in other things relating to life, yet sin involvement lacks thought or deliberation as to what they are jumping into when they partake of it; not considering the negative cost of their impetuous nature. 

While drifting in the ocean of decisions, they fail to make the most important choice that will bring them out of desperation and give them a hope.  Some people do, many people do not, which breaks the Lord’s heart.  God gave His Son to die on a cross for those that are drifting in sin so that they can experience hope.

(Romans 3:23), “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;”

The sad reality of rejecting Jesus as Savior is wrong choices made.  Some people resist change and refuse interference in their comings and goings, because of a haughty spirit or being self-centered.  This nature keeps them adrift in shame and degradation, because they are too proud to ask for help.

The Bible says that pride comes before a fall.  Any person refusing to allow Jesus to man the helm of their sinking ship and to raise the sails of hope in their tossing, misdirected vessel is in trouble.  They will suffer the consequences of bad choices they have made.

To persist in this mindset brings death of the soul after a lifelong struggle to survive.  But it does not have to end this way!  God provided a way out of the tossing billows!  His name is Jesus.  He is the only way that humanity can survive the storms of life that Satan blows their way.  Jesus, alone, is the solid rock that we can anchor to and live.

God gives each of us the ability to choose life or death.  He prefers that we choose life rather than Satan, but the choice is ours to make.  God does not infringe upon any person His will, but allows us to have self-will.  In fact, He is beckoning to those that are in need of a Savior, saying...

(Matthew 11:28-30), “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  vs.29 “”Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  vs.30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

My sails are set and my way is made clear.  Jesus sits at the helm, because He knows the way home.  Senseless drifting is no more.  No longer am I without direction.  God forgave me of my sins and became captain of my ship.  Life is good!

Written by,

Papa Boyd