Uncharted Territory

“All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by” (John Masefield)

I’ve borrowed this quote from my brother. It’s from one of his favourite poems. And as I stand here with a new year ahead of us it seems rather apt. That and the fact I work in Shipping I guess.

This celestial navigation that sailors used in days gone by has none of the heightened accuracy and detailed information that the technology of GPS provides today. There was a lot in the seas ahead of them that the sailors did not know about. They had to trust the heavens and themselves too while their path held many unknowns.

The year ahead of us is also filled with unknowns and uncharted territories. But we’re not alone, flailing with no star or map to guide us through. We can place our days in the hands of God. We can trust God. We can trust that He’s got everything under control. That He’s working everything for our good.

Seems easy sailing with just a star to guide you. But what if it’s cloudy and you can’t see the Star?

What then?

TRUST

What if your prayers don’t get answered? What if you’re facing a tough time?

What then?

TRUST.

What if there are disappointments or hurts hiding in your heart?

TRUST.

God asks us to trust Him. To lean on Him. And we can because He is trustworthy. We can trust God because He loves us. He is good, kind, merciful. He’s got this, He’s got us! We may feel that sometimes we’ve gone off grid and that certainly we’re not following our plan for our lives. But we can still place our trust and hope in God.

“God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.” (1 John 3:20 MSG)