Prayerful..Watching (or ...Being Prepared)

I am a passionate sailor... I am also a Christian who seeks to be aware of what God is calling for, from me, as I hope to serve others.

In both cases, I find myself paying as much attention to what may, might, or could happen as to what is actually called for in the given moment. Both processes involve a certain degree of forecasting. The effectiveness of my actions is determined by the reliability and accuracy of my forecasting tools...and THE ONLY WAY I CAN FINETUNE MY FORECASTING TOOLS WHEN IT COMES TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS BY STEPPING AWAY FROM THE READILY OBSERVABLE DETAILS TO PAY MORE PRAYERFUL ATTENTION TO WHAT CHRIST MAY BE EITHER CALLING FOR, INVITING OR TRANSFORMING RIGHT NOW!

When preparing to sail, I pay attention to things like weather maps, NOAA weather radio, and Dopplar radar. The familiar saying "Red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky in the morning, sailor take warning" is generally valid, too! (By the way, read Matthew 16: 2-3 – the quote is based upon scripture!) When I am actually sailing, though, my experiential meteorological awareness is what is truly most reliable. I was taught by my dad (a former USNA meteorologist and passionate Lake Erie fisherman) as well as by my sailing instructor to smell and feel the air, to watch the wind, the clouds and the waves.... and to trust my instincts. More times than I can count, I have known that a sudden change from fair to foul weather was immanent, even when that guy on NOAA Weather radio was broadcasting friendly skies. As you may know, Lake Erie is temperamental – she changes from a pond to an angry sea in a heartbeat! Vigilance, obedience and surrender of expectations serve in terms of both effectiveness and safety.

How about envisioning and planning our lives as disciples? Prayer is the ultimate and authoritative source of guidance. Time spent with and in scripture, and the discipline of becoming truly present before God (setting your own thoughts and expectations aside and leaning your ear toward the still, small voice of God) are important for each day of discipleship.

If a storm is approaching ....acknowledge Christ's presence in the boat (the boat of your life, of course!) If the waters are calm and the winds are soft, praise and give thanks!

Christian living (in the world, but not of it) without constant, abundant, pervasive prayer is like sailing on Lake Erie without smelling and feeling the air, watching the clouds, the wind and the waves. Be proactive as you prepare to live as a disciple this month – worship regularly, be strengthened by word and sacrament, and pray unceasingly, even when all seems calm. Things can and do change in a heartbeat!