Sailing Through Ministry

(1 Corinthians 16:9 NKJV) For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 

On a calm day a sailboat will not give you any trouble, but it won't move forward either.  You need a brisk wind to fill the sail and provide the energy to move you through the water.

But that is only part of the story.  

Unless you are content to be driven in whatever direction the wind is blowing, you also need a keel and a rudder.  The rudder - at the stern of the boat, allows you to turn the boat.  The keel extends down into the water and creates resistance to drifting sideways.  Now the energy from the wind can be harnessed to allow you to sail across or even into the wind.

Good progress in sailing requires some resistance.  So does good progress in ministry.  If all we do is preach happy messages to happy people we are becalmed.  When the winds of adversity blow, our keel and rudder reach down deep into God's word and allow us to make good progress.  Sin and heartache are turned into righteousness and hope.

Don't pray for calm.  Pray for wisdom in trimming your sail and setting your course to maximize the Glory of God from your situation.