A Ship Without a Destination

The ship is moving forward. It has left the dock, and is sailing smoothly, quickly. The people on board are rested without a concern in the world. They are enjoying the sunshine and the sound of the water against the side of the boat.

Someone begins to notice that although there is nothing wrong, there is something seriously wrong. The boat is floating well. The winds and waves are not overwhelming. So what is the issue? No one is steering the ship. They are moving at a nice clip, they are not experiencing any obstructions, but they are not sure where they are going either.

This could be exciting. This could be an excellent adventure, if your the adventurous type. Or, this could be terrifying.

As I think about this image, I think about my life. This is where I am right now. Floating, moving, busy, making choices, heading somewhere... Not really sure where. At times it is exciting, just like an excellent adventure would be. But at other times it is extremely terrifying, especially since I am not the only one on board, and others are looking to me as the captain.

Underneath it all lies a steady assurance that my Father is actually the one driving and steering the ship. It is a calm confidence that allows me to rest in Him. I pray that I might know where He is leading. I behave in a way that keeps me moving in the proper direction. Through it all, I must depend on the One who is truly in control, or else I will lose it, or adventure off the path He has chosen for me.

The Head of the Body

I have been preparing for a weekend retreat where I will be talking with some teens about "BODY LIFE" - mentioning of course that Jesus Christ is the head of the body. I have taught this subject before, and have studied various different times to do so.

However, at a wedding last weekend, the reality of what it means to be the "head" of the body means. Paul tells the Ephesians that the man is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. Interestingly enough, I have always thought of that as the head. You know, the part of your body that controls everything else. All thoughts go through the head, all commands come from the head. All parts of the body must interact with the head to be able to do their job well, etc.

This weekend though, for the first time, it occurred to me that the "head" is not necessarily connected via the neck. In other words, the bride of Christ, just like my bride, is not physically connected to the "head". My bride can do as she pleases. She can follow my leadership or demand to lead. She can submit to my authority or choose to make herself the authority. She can respond to my gestures of love or she can refuse them.

As the "head", I am required to lead, guide, protect, etc. just as Christ does. However, as the bride of Christ, He does not demand that I follow, demand that I submit, demand that I obey. There are consequences to blazing my own trail - ie I am no longer under the protection of the Head, but He does not demand my allegiance.

Why is this a new way of looking at it? Because just like my relationship with my wife, my relationship to the Head of the church requires me to do a lot of work. The Head does not "control" me, but it does lead me. The Head does not dominate, it leads and guides. I must do the work to align myself with the head - it is not natural! I must remind myself that my "head" is naturally in opposition to the real "Head".

I love it when thoughts like this come to me...