We have the rudder

Life on earth is transient and it is very important to have an intimate yet diligent awareness of where our destiny is leading us. The frailty of life and events need to be well monitored in order to check the course of our daily affairs. When I say that, I mean each of us can write our story from the end to the beginning. Delving a little deeper, we need to consider the end of our life moments, like the fairy tale ending saying, "they lived happily ever after."

To end that way, we have the rudder. Birds steer by twisting and turning their bodies during flight and adjusting their wings as needed to maneuver. Their tail is used as a kind of rudder, and can control steering, from subtle changes of direction from left to right, to sharper and more drastic swerves and turns.

Jeremiah 8:7-9 says, “Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of the Lord.” Each of us is blessed with in-built rudders to steer us to a happy harbor without any regret and pain, as we witness many at the end. We have opportune moments NOW to redo, undo and change the course of our lives.

Echoes from the frail voices of aristocrats resound with grave regret of having lost a lifetime of opportune moments to do the right thing they knew all along in life. If you look back on your life, do any of the same questions and regrets that plague them affect you? I wonder if that is a good place to start for you.

Proverbs 16:9 says, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." It is vital to know that even though we have the rudder to steer, we cannot fully control the course of our lives. We can only plan and prepare to the best of our abilities, but ultimately, it is up to the Lord to establish our steps.

Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that our rudder is aligned with the Lord's will. Psalm 37:23 says, "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him." When we take delight in the Lord and follow His will, our rudder will be in sync with His plan for our lives.

Reflective questions:

1. Have you taken the time to consider where your current path in life is leading you? Are you heading towards a destination of happiness and fulfillment?
2. What steps can you take now to align your rudder with the Lord's will?
3. Are there any regrets or missed opportunities in your life that you need to address in order to steer your life towards a more positive direction?

In conclusion, life is fleeting, and it is important to make the most of our time here on earth. When we take delight in Him and follow His plan for our lives, we will be led to a happy harbor without any regret or pain. Let us take the time to reflect and make the necessary changes.