The Seas of Life 

   “Unfurl the sails and let God steer us where He will."  (St. Bede) 

   Life can be compared to sailing unknown seas.  We can’t be certain of where it will take us.  A change in the wind can completely redirect our ship of life.  Too often we want to change the wind rather than sail where it may take us.

   There can be times of peaceful sailing on a calm sea or there can be dangerous times.  The winds may be gentle with easy rolling swells, or they may be of gale force with the waves crashing over the bow.  Either way our ship continues its course until this journey of life is complete.

   It’s natural to hope for easy days with gentle winds but the storms of life cannot be avoided.  We will experience days when we just want to trim the sails or tack against the wind rather than follow where it may take us.  At times we may just want to drop anchor and give up.  But life goes on and we must follow where it leads.

   “Just as you do not know the path of the wind or how the body is formed in a woman’s womb, so you do not know the work of God, creator of all.” (Eccl 11: 5).   When the winds pick up and seem to be directing us in a new direction we need to consider that the source of that wind is the God who created all things.  Though we may not know where the wind will take us, we must trust in His plan, accept His will.

   The winds of God will eventually bring us to His holy kingdom if we put our faith in Him, confident in His great love.  So we must sail our ship according to God’s direction.  Unfurl the sails and follow the winds of the Lord.