Life without the Holy Spirit is like traveling in a little wooden row boat, flat bottomed, unstable at best and unable to remain upright when battered by storms. Being made of wood, it  is susceptible to the ravages of time, attacked by rot and wood boring creatures.... springing leaks and struggling to stay afloat.  My rowboat is exceedingly small, unable to accommodate more than myself, powered only by my strength and subject to the limits of my own endurance. My little rowboat lacks even rudimentary navigational equipment, thus I quickly lose my way.  Without a rudder to steer me,  I fall victim to tide and current as they sweep me away at their own whim.  My oars are simply not able to propel me forward and keep me going in the right direction with any consistency.  Hence, I often find myself run aground on rocks or run amuck in tidal flats, covered with mud as I try to dislodge myself from every mess I make. 

Life with Christ, however is a modern high tech battle ship, skillfully navigated by the Holy Spirit and powered by the Source that created the universe itself.  A powerful ship, sleek in design, able to withstand wind and wave, undeterred by tide and current. It’s course is steady and unwavering, slow when appropriate but swift and strong when necessary.  My life with Christ does not fear even the  thickest fog, as His sophisticated navigational equipment is always ready, always accurate.  I will never lose my way, run aground or amuck when He is at the helm.  Christ’s battle ship is armed for war, never seeking it, but ever ready to engage the enemy when he inevitably appears. I now possess spiritual weapons for which my enemy has no defense, fighting a war which has already been won. 

Looking back I ask myself how I could have been so content traveling in my little wooden rowboat for so many years?  There seems to be no answer. But of this the Lord assures me.....a few years serving as a crew member on His battle ship will more than make up for decades wasted drifting aimlessly in the weak vessel of my own design and making.  Life with Christ is truly a remarkable journey.