Chad and I both love to be out on the water. Spending time
out on lake Ray Hubbard in Dallas was where we went on a lot of dates in the
early stages of our relationship. Also, my mind tends to run constantly, even
in my sleep, but when I’m on the water I can truly relax. Chad loves to sail
and so do I, but I also enjoy kayaking.
Recently Chad and I were discussing which sport was actually
more fun. When we lived in Amarillo Chad worked a trade to get an 18 foot
Catamaran. While it is a simpler contraption than the big sailboat it still
requires a lot of rigging. Sometimes it can take hours to set the mast, rig the
sail and unfurl the jib. Since having time off for recreation is so rare and
precious, I like the simplicity of setting out on the water with a kayak and
paddle.
Last year Chad kind of gained the upper hand on our ongoing
discussion after a float trip down the Illinois River. Some friends in the
ministry graciously invited us along with some of our youth on their float trip. I
was excited because it was the first real trip where I was going to get to
paddle to my heart’s content. About half way down the river, with the sun on
our backs it occurred to me, “the only way I’m going to get all the way down
this river – and back, is to paddle, paddle, paddle.”
I paddled up next to Chad and could tell by the look on his
face exactly what he was thinking, so I asked, “Where’s the wind, Captain?”
When we go out on the lake, after all the rigging is in
place on the Cat and we’ve shoved off from shore the next step is to find the
direction of the wind. When the wind hits our sails and we find a place to go
on a run everything in the world feels right. It’s time to hang on and enjoy
the ride.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in the
ministry is that doing good works out of my own strength leads to burn-out and
frustration. When I humble myself and follow Jesus, He leads me into the good
works prepared beforehand for me to do and it is in this work where joy and
endurance can be found.
In John 16 Jesus was leaving a charge for His disciples. He
said,
5 “But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you
asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these
things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell
you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away,
the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
Jesus was charging these men with the continuation of His
life and legacy on earth. And what does He promise them? He will send a Helper!
This Helper is no less than the Holy Spirit, the breath of God! He didn’t say,
“Get out your paddles boys! It’s all up to you!” Jesus knew that the wind of
God would fill the hearts of these ordinary men and send them on the ride of their
life!
When it comes to watersports, I still enjoy both sailing and
paddling; however, there is no better way to serve God in the ministry than to
learn to hear His voice, set out on the water in obedience then move with the
power of His wind!
