In The Clear

When a boat is on autopilot, the captain sets a compass heading for where they want to go. They lock in that heading on the autopilot, and the boat takes off in that direction. So far, so good. But, where it gets interesting, is when the boat hits a large wave or a series of waves. The autopilot does not allow external actions to alter its course. It heads straight for the goal, and goes through the wave. There is a splash, lots of rocking and spray, and an immediate correction by the autopilot if the ship is knocked off course. And when I say immediate, I mean immediate. The autopilot does not allow the ship to get swayed off its course even momentarily when it hits a bump in the water. Most people don’t operate this way. They know where their ship is “heading”, the direction in which they want to go, but they look out in the near distance and see a wave; someone’s adverse reaction to their decision. The wave looms larger and larger until it appears even bigger than their decision and the goals and values that drove that decision, so they change their course. They adjust their course to go around the wave. By then they have lost their direction. They avoided the crash into the wave and getting soaked by the spray, but the consequence is they are now off course. No, in reality, that is not quite true. They are on a course, but it is someone else’s course, not their own. They have kept someone happy, but they have lost their own way. In all probability, if this is how we live, we will never get to where we wanted to go in the first place because there will always be another wave coming. This week, we are commencing a three week series titled ‘Intentional Living’; seeking biblical wisdom on being intentional about the choices we make. We start this Sunday by looking at Moses, and consider, by his example, the importance of choosing purpose over popularity, of choosing to please God and live out his purpose and direction for our lives, rather than living for the approval of others.

Scripture References: Hebrews 11:24-27

From Series: Intentional Living | More Messages from Rebecca Inglis | Download Audio

From Series: "Intentional Living"