Watch the Wind!

Every once in a while the intersection between today and the thread of scripture seems too precise to discount as coincidence.  Take a look at today's reading from Acts.  "How about that?", I said to myself, "we get to learn about Paul's sailing adventures!"  Paul may or may not have had the art of skippering under his belt, but the narrative implies that he at least knew something about the wisdom of adjusting your course or modifying plans to sail this or that way.

Today (and most days during this late May, 2011) people have spent alot of time looking toward the sky to see what is going to happen next.  Weather has been a news item almost every day.  Tragically there have been some who have lost life and loved ones.  Kyrie eleison, Lord have mercy.  But, thankfully, most of us have experienced little more than inconvenience or disappointment.  (Be honest, folks, if you are reading this you are probably in that group!)

As a sailor, there has been a part of me that has said:  Yes!  There's a storm in the region!  That means great wind... let's head out!  But then there is wisdom and respect for the sea's (yes, Lake Erie can be a capricious and angry sea) potential to pummel my craft. So I stay in port, sometimes at the consternation of some of my more aggressive crew members.  I may reef my sails (reduce their capacity to catch the wind) or I may cancel the sail all together.  I believe in safety for craft and crew, as well as longevity (I want to sail tomorrow, and the next day and the next!)

One command that isn't in "Sailing for Dummies" or other basic navigation manuals is "Watch the Wind!".  But it is a command that is used frequently on board my boat.  (This order popped out of the skipper's mouth years ago when the less than vigilant crew wasn't ready for a sudden shift of direction and velocity-- but that's another story)

Of course, you can't literally "see" the wind.  You watch its effect upon water.  You hear its whistle (or roar) in the rigging.  And you "feel" its approach as a gentle propulsion or a sudden surge.  You watch the wind with a sensitivity that is a combination of knowledge, experience and most often, basic intuition.  It is a matter of attentively making constant adjustments.  You learn not to fight it.  You can't make it do what you want (very frustrating for control freaks), but you can maximize its use for your objective (at least most of the time).

One other thing -- it doesn't help to get angry with it or panic in its presence.  One time, following a scene when this skipper essentially "lost her cool" and got all agitated, the crew said, very calmly:  "You know what, when the skipper gets nervous, all of us on board get nervous too!"

 You see, as long as clear, confident leadership is present, everybody involved goes through the journey with greater peace and a deeper sense of safety.  Sometimes the "orders" need to be given firmly.  Sometimes the participants are disappointed by a turn of events or a postponement of plans.  It is all about being able to continue the journey and reach the destination in one piece.


These thoughts speak to my heart about the church.   Certainly the winds of change are stirring her.  How can we, together, watch the wind?  Where or from whom can we hear the voice of God, our skipper, offering commands that will direct us to our destination...in Peace?