Mt. Sophia Ideas

As I sat in my sister Heather’s condo in Florida, I kept hearing all this hollering.

It was a beautiful Saturday morning, and the condo is in a high-rise overlooking the channel between downtown Tampa and the beautiful Harbour Island.  I was puzzled as to who would be causing such a ruckus in such a lovely residential area.  Looking out the over the balcony, I saw a rowing crew practicing on the channel in the sunshine.

The hollering was coming from the coxswain in the boat.  (I know this because I googled it to find out; I don’t row.  If you know me, is that any great surprise?)

According to an article I found on competitive rowing, the job of a coxswain is to:

• Steer the boat
• Provide motivation to the crew
• Inform of where they are in relation to other crews and the finish line
• Make race strategy calls

Coxswains have historically communicated to the crew by shouting or through a megaphone that was strapped to their head.  That’s why I was hearing all this hollering on a sunny Saturday morning.

Sometimes I feel like there is too much noise in my life.  Urgent tasks scream my name; needs of loved ones call to me in the midst of my daily routine; my own weaknesses speak up when I least expect it, trying to instill fear in my day.

Do I have a good Coxswain to hear above the rest of the noise?  Who is riding on that little seat at the front of my boat, steering me in the right direction, motivating me to keep rowing, letting me know how the competition and the finish line are looking, and changing my strategy if it’s not working at the moment?

I am so glad that the Holy Spirit is bigger, louder and rowdier than the other noisy voices in my life!  Sometimes we think of Him only operating with a still small voice (and He most certainly does that!), but He is also good with a megaphone.

When I am drifting into danger, his voice steers loud and clear, “This is the way; walk in it!”  When my arms are growing weary, He hollers, “My strength is made perfect in weakness!!”  When sin is close to ensnaring me, He sizes up the competition and hollers, “All who despise you will bow down at your feet!”  If my rhythm is off and I can’t win the way I’m trying to row, his counsel is sure, “Behold, I am doing a new thing!”

Every day we are in a race, obstacles in our way, competition all around, and a finish line ahead.  We may have awesome biceps, but those alone won’t row us to victory.  We need direction, motivation, perspective, and strategy.  Listen to the Coxswain; be a champion!

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