https://www.instagram.com/projectmadenew/
“Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless.”
— Charles H. Spurgeon
“Unfurl the sails, and let God steer us where He will.”
— Saint Bede
Imagine your life as a sailboat, and the wind represents God's presence and power. In this analogy, the boat cannot move forward without the wind, but it also requires someone to raise the sails, steer the rudder, and navigate the waters.
God is like the wind — He provides the force that propels us forward in life, guiding and empowering us. But we, as the sailors, have a role to play. We need to raise the sails through our faith, our prayer, and our obedience. Without our active participation — if we leave the sails down — the boat will drift or remain stagnant, no matter how strong the wind blows.
However, even if we raise the sails, we must trust in God to provide direction and strength. It’s not our effort alone that moves the boat; it’s the wind of God’s Spirit that ultimately carries us forward. We are called to adjust the sails, set the course, and respond to His leading. In this partnership, God provides the power, but our cooperation and readiness determine how fully we experience His guidance.
1 Corinthians 3:9: “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” God, in His infinite power and wisdom, could accomplish everything on His own. But He chooses to work through us. This partnership is not because God needs us, but because He wants us to experience the joy and purpose of being part of His mission.
Philippians 2:13: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.” God is working in us to accomplish His purposes, but we still have a role to play. Consider how this looks in practice. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of people who partnered with God to fulfill His will. Moses was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but it was God who parted the Red Sea. Joshua led the people into the Promised Land, but it was God who brought down the walls of Jericho. The apostles preached the Gospel, but it was God who added to their number daily.
John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” We are like branches connected to a vine. The branch’s role is to bear fruit, but it cannot do so unless it remains connected to the vine. In the same way, we cannot fulfill our purpose, bear fruit, or truly impact the world unless we are connected to Christ. This partnership isn’t one of equals, but of necessary dependency. We rely on His power, His wisdom, His Spirit working through us. God calls us to be His hands and feet in the world, but the fruit of our labor is only possible when we stay close to Him.
Together, when the sailor and the wind work in harmony, the boat sails smoothly toward its destination — just as we, in partnership with God, can accomplish His purposes in our lives. As we partner with God, our lives are transformed too. We come to know Him more deeply and seek Him more readily.
