The Sail in the Wind

I had a picture of a sail being hoisted into position on a yacht.
The sail was only part way up. The wind was light and didn’t have any real direction to it, as such the sail was flailing about a bit.
The top of the sail was always being drawn towards the top, following the line that it was attached to. The rest of the sail followed.
In its part way up position you had the top of the sail leading the way, the middle part of the sail flailing in the wind and the bottom part of the sail resting on the deck.

I felt that the picture could be a picture of the church.

The top of the sail is the leader of the church, following the way set before them by God.
The next part of the sail is the leadership team (these could be both staff and non staff people) who are supporting and following the leaders guidance.
Then you have those who are up and doing what they can, when they can.
Then you have those who are just getting off the deck, to join those who can and do.
Lastly you have those who are still on the deck, waiting to see if they will join those who are off the deck or just stay where they are.

If you are part of the church, then where about on the sail would you be?

Are you with those who are off the deck flailing around in the slight wind, not quite sure of what’s going on?
Are you on the deck looking at those off the deck, thinking, that looks a bit messy up there, I think that I’ll stay just where I am?
Or are you on the deck just waiting to join the fun of those who are already off the deck, just waiting for the wind?

When the wind does comes and properly inflates the sail, then the real movement will happen!

But how much of the sail will be in the wind?

1%, 10%, ….. 100%, or somewhere in between?
How much of the sail is off the deck will greatly determine how much movement occurs when the wind comes. A sail that is 100% up will catch more than one that is only 10% up.

When the wind comes, then will you be part of those who are where they are meant to be, off the deck?
Or will you be part of those who are on the deck, thinking, if only I was up there?

While we are waiting for the wind, well things may appear to be a little bit unsettling. Try not to focus on the flapping about, instead focus on the goal and where we are heading to.

To the leaders, try not to be put off by the flapping about but instead focus on where you are being led, and as such continue to lead the way, that we all should go.
Can those who are off the deck encourage those who are on the deck to join them, so that when the wind comes, we will then have a bigger sail?
If you are on the deck then can you join those who are moving up to where they should be?

Although this picture has described the church as a whole, can we apply it on a personal level?

If the wind of God came today, then how much of your sail would you have available?

Is your sail fully up, ready and waiting for the wind?
Or is it all on the deck, where the wind could come and go and then pass you by?
It’s going to be best to have as much of your sail up and waiting, as you can, so that when the wind does come, then you can be moved by the wind to where you are meant to be.

Father,
I ask that You help us all to know where it is that You want us to be, so that we can then say yes to You, and be where You want us to be.
Help us to know and trust You that much more, so that we can follow You, and be ready to do what You would like us to be doing.
Amen.