Staying The Course by Tony Bailey

A good friend of mine called me today and told be about the book "Nautical Hour" by Tony Bailey.  I looked it up on the Internet and found this article he wrote for the Apostolic Herald in 2004. It is quite lengthy but worth the read!(Thanks Lee-Ann...You are definitely one of those friends that is a blessing from God!)

An excerpt from "The Nautical Hour":

Ships have rudders! And there is a very good reason why ships have rudders attached because, as with life, any number of things can happen to knock a sea-faring vessel off course.

When a ship embarks from port, the navigator and/or captain have a definite and predetermined destination in mind. The vessel is set upon a heading that will ultimately bring it safely to harbor in the desired seaport, but from port to port, corrections will be made in the heading so the ship can stay the course. Corrections are not made because of some miscalculation, but rather because winds, tides, currents or some obstacle has forced the ship off course.

Staying the course does not mean that a vessel never gets off course, but when it does veer, corrections are implemented to bring the ship back to proper bearings. Apparently the Apostle Paul understood this principle and realized how it applies to spiritual life. Paul’s own testimony states, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Timothy 4:7)

The Apostle did not claim to have kept the course, but he was very adamant in his acknowledgment that the course had indeed been finished. This text seems to imply that certain things may happen which cause a life to get off course, but the course can still be finished. The wise man noted in Proverbs 24:16, “a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again”. Paul’s assertion that he did “keep the faith” evidently supplied the enabling ability for him to rise up again so that he could “finish the course.”

Winds
When winds of adversity blow a ship off its desired heading, only the determined faith and vision of the Captain will continue to bring it back on course. Winds do blow, and that is one of the reasons why ships are built with rudders attached.

“But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.” (Matthew 14:24)
Like the wind described by Matthew, it seems as if most of the winds in life are “contrary”. A contrary wind is not necessarily a wind from hell. Any wind that is trying to push the ship in a direction other than the desired port is a contrary wind.

Winds usually come in the form of influence. People, circumstances, temptations, old habits or any other areas of life that serve as a center of influence, can become a contrary wind.

Winds of adversity and resistance must be met with an intentional resolve to persevere. If allowed, contrary winds will cause even a large vessel to stray. Contrary winds are faced almost every day. Resistance is a fact of life for any spiritual pursuit, and it seems especially so in the area of prayer. Diligence is the catchword for spiritual accomplishment. God does reward those who seek Him faithfully.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Tides
“…and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22)

The “care of this world” would be an all-inclusive description of the tides of life. Daily life abounds with concerns that ebb and flow. If not met with determined strategy, the cares of day-to-day life, though varying, will cause us to become unproductive in spiritual pursuits.

Changing tides are an accepted part of the routine in sea travel. Varying tide patterns from one port to another, although sometimes a bother, are considered to be part of the process of ocean voyage. 
Tides are an expected, even a predicted occurrence of life. Although expected, tide patterns must still be calculated into the scheme of navigation. If tide variations are not properly evaluated, they will have devastating effects on the final destination of any sea-faring vessel.

Tides represent the normal routines of life. Although not sinful in and of themselves, the routines that many people follow in daily life are very capable of creating environments that are not conducive to spiritual growth. Something as simple as working overtime, having to work on a rotating shift, or even summer break from school, if not properly considered and planned for can bring a prayer-life to a grinding halt.

Currents
Popular fads, world events, tragedies of life, and other such unexpected but temporary happenings that incite emotional reactions fulfill the definition of currents. It is so easy to be swept into the fray of a strong current, being pulled completely off the desired heading. Often, because of the strength of the current, it is a struggle to get free of its affect. It is possible to be totally aware of the current and how it is changing the direction of spiritual growth and yet feel helpless to be freed of it on our own.

Currents of life usually create a situation where a “life-guard” is needed. “Life-guards” are those people that God places in our life to assist us in overcoming currents and who help supply spiritual direction and insight. God never intended for His children to be self-sufficient. Prayer partners should be sought for and established so that in times of crisis a lifeline can be attached to provide greater security during the voyage. Prayer partners become sounding boards, confidants, and enablers that help us in the recovery process, which also includes the re-establishing of a proper spiritual heading.

Obstacles
Natural elements of normal life produce the greatest amount of spiritual resistance. But natural elements are not the only source of spiritual resistance. Circumstances, other people, or demonic spirits often create obstacles in our path, which can cause us to veer off course. At times, certain obstacles produce situations that necessitate a brief, but intentional, departure from the established route for safety’s sake.

Shallow water, one of the more obvious concerns of sailing, is most often a concern only when leaving or entering a harbor. As a ship nears a new port-of-call, the captain naturally pays special attention in guiding the vessel, keeping it in the deepest channels possible. But, every good sailor understands that shallow water can also be of grave concern on the open sea. “Shallow water on the open sea?” some may question. The seasoned seafarer responds with a resounding “yes”, knowing that every underwater mountain range can present eminent danger. Careful observation exposes a sobering revelation: “Many great lives and ministries have been side-tracked (some permanently) and even destroyed during or near mountain-top experiences.” Victories so often produce an intoxicating affect, which has proven to efficiently debilitate righteous judgment.

God is inviting His elect now as He invited the Prophet of old to come into the waters where it is deep enough to swim. (Ezekiel 47:5) Shallow water is a far too perilous place for a child of God to weigh anchor. The Psalmist understood the desire of God to bring His people into the depths of the Spirit realm;
“Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.” (Psalm 42:7)

The ocean floor is thoroughly littered with sunken vessels that must be avoided at all cost. A simple glimpse of ships that have failed in their attempt to complete the voyage is one of the most discouraging sights any seafarer could ever see. Every sunken vessel, regardless of the cause, looms as a dreary reminder of what any ship’s fate might be.

A great hindrance to the spiritually cautious, who dare to seek the deeper things of God, is the memory of others who tried, failed and were ultimately lost to the sea. The knowledge of fallen comrades should never deter the venture from taking place, but ought to serve as buoys, marking the dangers along the journey.
Certain trade routes are at times strewn with debris and hazards such as icebergs. Most of the devastation that occurs from these perils is a result of what cannot be seen rather than what appears to be the obvious danger. Comprehending the immense jeopardy of the unseen will assist in navigating safely around and through the perils of life.

One of the more discouraging aspects of ocean voyage is the day to day monotony between ports-of-call. Leaving home port is exciting; a new adventure is underway and many positive changes rapidly take place. It is easy on the outset of the trip to see the benefits of the voyage. However, it is difficult, if not impossible, to fully appreciate the progress being made when physical landmarks can no longer be seen. 
Embarking upon a daily commitment of early morning prayer is a life-changing decision. In the beginning of any new spiritual endeavor, many changes quickly occur which enhance the resolve to continue. But after the initial experiences of change, staying in the process becomes somewhat tedious when the changes seem to slow down or stop altogether.

It is extremely important to remember that a prayer-life is not an event but rather a continuous journey. A Prayer Voyage will bring us into numerous harbors where great spiritual treasures are introduced into our lives. While in port, being laden with spiritual gifts and cargo, it is easy to stay encouraged about the benefits of living a sacrificial life of early morning prayer. However, those trips between ports, which appear to be uneventful and unfruitful, are the times we must be careful to “keep the faith.”

Winds, tides, currents and obstacles seemed to have all come to visit at one time. My life had been bounced from one wave to another for weeks on end. Every schedule had suffered, and my prayer time was so battered that I felt totally ashamed to even approach God. After all, those who knew me well considered me as some sort of an authority on the subject and practice of prayer. “Mr. Prayer”, as I had been dubbed by more than a few, had been virtually prayerless for days on end.

I am still not sure whether guilt or desperation convinced me to press on in prayer that morning, but whatever it was, I am eternally grateful that I did. I was busy explaining to God all of the things that had hindered my early morning prayer time and begging forgiveness when God arrested my attention. I saw a vision before me of a graph. On the graph about halfway down on the extreme left side (which was labeled west) appeared a line. The line came from the west and continued approximately a quarter of the way across the graph. As I beheld this sight the voice of the Lord spoke to me and asked, “Which way is the line going?”

After careful examination of the graph I answered, “From west to east.” “Does it always go from west to east?” the Lord inquired. “No” I said, “sometimes it drops toward the south and at other times it peaks toward the north, but over all it goes from west to east.” “Exactly” replied God, “This is a graph of your prayer-life. At times, your prayer drops off a bit. Still, at other times your prayer-life excels, but overall you are heading in the direction that I have called you to go. When you fall you keep getting back up and that’s all I require from you.” God continued, “You have been whining about missing a day. I am from everlasting to everlasting, what is twenty-four hours to me? I created the day for you, so quit whining, get over it and get busy praying!”

I now have a better understanding of Paul’s statement. I may not always keep the course, but as long as I can keep the faith, I will finish the course. Should I veer off the proper heading and for whatever reason neglect my time of prayer, a new day dawns. And with each new day comes a new Nautical Hour, where I can discover how far I have drifted off course and what corrections I need to make to get back on course, because, I intend to “finish my course”.

Ó 2004  Tony Bailey