Put a Fresh Wind in My Sails
I came across this verse in my studies the other day and it has opened some interesting parallels to the re-conditioning process that I’m currently going through.
Years ago while on a trip to Long Beach, California, my husband and I were walking the boardwalk and came across a pirate ship that was used for dinner cruises. The ship was very realistic in it’s appearance with the design, sails, pirate flag and even the barnacles attached to the hull. I was surprised at how many were on the ship and didn’t think much more of them until the other day.
In Psalm 51:10-12 King David asks God to restore him after his sin with Bathsheba and killing her husband. He had already confessed his sin and repented, but he wanted to be back in a right relationship with God. In the Message version it says, “God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the Chaos of my life. Put a fresh wind in my sails!”
After reading these verses I thought of that ship with all the barnacles and thought of how weighed down it must be, sailing around with extra resistance that it wasn’t meant to carry. The only way to get rid of them is to take the boat out of the water and scrape, sand and scrub them off. In the process, which is very labor intensive, some of the paint may be removed requiring new paint. Pressure washers are used at some point and even strong chemicals. When the writer of the article was asked if there was an easier way to accomplish this, the answer was …no.
In the Travel Industry we work with all the cruise lines and every so often a ship will go into dry dock. That is where they are refurbished so they can continue to be used in the fleet. They are updated, repainted, remodeled and in the process they are made new again. This process also takes time.
As I researched barnacles a little more, it was interesting to see how they are formed and how strong they can become. Here is a description that was given for barnacles in an article that I read.
“Shell-fouling microscopic organisms are hatched in the sea. They swim around until they find a nice neighborhood (your boat bottom) to attach themselves to. The most common shell-fouling organism is the Acorn Barnacle. There are a variety of species that can grow to a whopping 7 centimeters in diameter.
When barnacles adhere to the bottom of a boat, they continually grow and exert considerable pressure at the point of attachment. These creatures enjoy their resting place so much that even when removed, they leave a strong foundation, commonly called “husks.” The adhesion of the husks is so great that the force necessary to remove them can tear the gelcoat, causing more damage.”
Barnacles are similar to sin. Once it takes hold and attaches to us, the removal process is quite intense, can hurt and leaves a mark. But the good news is that if we submit to the process we can be forgiven, made new and be made ready to set sail again.
Look at this incredible promise in Ezekiel 36: 26-27, “I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by My commands….You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God!” That’s a promise to hold on to through the process! He will refurbish us, He will create a pure heart in us, a steadfast spirit and return the joy of our Salvation to us!
That makes all the scrubbing, scraping, remodeling and re-conditioning worth it. Because the end result is us being able to go out into the world and share the message of restoration with the others who are lost so they too can be a new creation, restored and part of God’s fleet. God’s finishing touch to our refurbishing will be a fresh wind of His Spirit in our sails. He will send us out with strength and purpose. Breath on me breath of God!
My prayer
Father, I submit to the renovations, refurbishments and refining that are needed in my life. Thank you for helping me see my need to confess my sins and repent so the process can begin. Create in my a clean heart, one that is God-willed and renewed. Restore the joy of my Salvation which is my relationship with You. Put a fresh wind in my sails when the process is finished so that I can go out into the world with purpose an intention to help others know You. Thank you for the process however painful it may be, the end result will always be worth it. Amen.
Where does my help come from?
Psalm 51: 10-12
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
Ezekiel 36:25-27
“I’ll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. You’ll once again live in the land I gave your ancestors. You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! “