A new analogy

I thought of an analogy (or perhaps it was planted in my mind by another source of inspiration) and I wanted to share it with y'all. Feel free to comment, agree, disagree, tweak it, add to it, etc. as you see fit.

Scripture is a sailboat that carries us to God. The water is Jesus Christ. There are many waterways, rivers, oceans, etc., but only one that will lead to God. The Holy Spirit is the wind that fills the sails and makes it go. Tradition and doctrine are the rutter that steers the boat.

It is possible to get to God without a sail boat. One could swim, or use another sort of vessel, but on this particular waterway, the sailboat is the most advantageous.

We have no control over the wind, but it is always there, whether a gale or a gentle breeze. If we are good sailors, we will set our sails accordingly, turning them to take the wind in the right conditions, or tying them to the masts in a storm.

We do control the rutter. We decide when to turn left and when to turn right, which direction to take. We are somewhat limited by the water, wind, and other factors, but there is freedom within those limits. And some choices which would cause our boat to wreck on rocky shores, while other choices will keep the sailing smooth. And some choices do not make a big difference to the ultimate outcome.

I've not done much sailing, so I may be missing some key elements here. Like I said, feel free to offer your own ideas, comments, or corrections.

Even though you said to feel free with the corrections, I'm still going to look like a jerk for saying this. But it's spelled "rudder".

You don't look like a jerk. I look foolish for making the mistake in the first place! Thank you for correcting me! I did not know that, and now I know, so thank you.

Of course, I'd also like comments on the content, as well as my spelling But you knew that

While it relates very loosely, while reading this I thought of James 3:4.

I hope I keep the rudder in the right direction.

Looking at it, this encourages me. I get a sense of an overall view of life, and how our choices impact our life to come. I see a foundation, a means to move, and a direction to go in. Though I'm not in any particular sticky situation, this is comforting - I can honestly say that I'm riding in a sailboat with the Holy Spirit pushing the boat along while I carefully fine tune the steering and the rudder so I'm going in the right direction. I know that even if I hit a rock, I'm still in God's hands. There isn't a storm to big or too hard for the boat; it's sturdier than the fabric of time itself.

It makes me want to share some sailboats

Thank you for this

Good analogy (* but not so new)


"He from whom a person learns the precept teachings should be
venerated, as the apostles venerate Jesus, their Lord. He, (a
teacher) of great learning, thus venerated, will explain the precept
teachings, being well-disposed towards one. Having paid attention
and considered it, a wise man, practicing according to The Precepts,
becomes learned, intelligent and accomplished by associating
himself diligently with such a teacher.

"But by following an inferior and foolish teacher who has not gained
(fine) understanding of the The precepts and is envious of others,
one will approach death without comprehending the Precepts and
unrelieved of doubt.

"If a man going down into a river, swollen and swiftly flowing, is
carried away by the current — how can he help others across?

"Even so, he who has not comprehended the Precepts, has not paid
attention to the meaning as expounded by the learned, being
himself without knowledge and unrelieved of doubt — how can he
make others understand?

"But if (the man at the river) knows the method and is skilled and
wise, by boarding a strong boat equipped with oars and a rudder, he
can, with its help, set others across. Even so, he who is experienced
and has a well-trained mind, who is learned and dependable, clearly
knowing, he can help others to understand who are willing to listen
and ready to receive.


"Surely, therefore, one should associate with a good man who is
wise and learned. By understanding the meaning of what one has
learned and practicing accordingly one who has Precept-experience
attains (supreme) happiness."

Adapted [by me] from the Pali Canon