Sailors learn skills for two tools of the trade that bring success. They learn how to drop an anchor, and they learn how to hoist the sails.
During a time of crisis, like a storm, these two tools—if used properly—do their work well. Be like a good sailor during this time of crisis, and you’ll be just fine.
Expect the same old routines. These are the anchors of your life.
Kiss goodnight. Say please and thank you. Attend Sunday morning worship with your family. Eat and exercise for good health. Call your aging parents. Say your prayers in the morning, at meals, and in the evening like clockwork. Brush your teeth. Clear out your email inbox. Read the Bible.
The coronavirus crisis does not take these anchors from you. They are at your disposal, it’s just a matter of whether or not you are too distracted by the storm to use them.
Secondly, explore some new routines. These are the sails that take you to new places.
Learn how to participate in Sunday worship on your big screen TV with the kids. Research the 5 best practices to build a strong immune system. Get creative for social interaction that respects physical distancing. Pray differently. Develop new systems of both interaction and also separation within your family as mom and dad work from home while the kids are home from school and everybody is on top of each other all the time.
The coronavirus pushes you into a new normal, and as long as you resist or resent it, you’ll function with frustration and distraction. Embrace the fluidity of the world right now. We’re all trying to figure this out. Be open to change. Be patient with people and organizations trying to figure it out, too.
Some fisherman came into shore after a long night of catching nothing. Jesus caught up with them. He had met them before, and they knew who he was. He told them to go back out and try again. Peter, the spokesman, said, “‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break” (Luke 5:5,6).
Their anchor was the familiar routine of letting down the nets. They knew how to do that. It was a good old skill. Their sail was believing in the words of Jesus that violated fishing protocols and good sense. And they found success.
This weekend, I challenge you to list 5 solid routines you’ve already established that you need to continue during this crisis. You know them. You can do them. It’s just a matter of choosing to do so. Then, list 3 new practices or routines you need to develop in this new normal. They might scare you because they’re so new, so unfamiliar. But you have the opportunity right now to get started.
Anchors. Sails. With Jesus, you are both solidly secure and fully free.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, your voice in the storm is as clear as ever, and confident, too. You command me to drop the anchor and be strong in you. You also call me to hoist the sails and explore new direction following you. I need you, Holy Spirit, to help me understand the difference, and to trust courageously. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Enjoy this song by Christian artist Pat Barrett, called “Sails.” Where do the lyrics encourage you to drop your anchor, and then to hoist your sails?
https://youtu.be/qHM5pfBxr7o