James 3:4 (KJV)
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of
fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, withersoever
the governor listeth.
I am going to use this verse today to illustrate something that is not
the ordinary way in which it is usually applied. The Bible says we are
to behold the ships, so that is what we will do for a moment. As we do
so, I can merely reflect back on the two different times in my life I
have ever even been near a ship. First of all, almost 22 years ago my
husband and I went on a cruise for our honeymoon. While we were standing
on the dock beside our ship, excited to board and view its interior, we
marveled at how majestically that vessel loomed above us, commanding all
of our attention. It was absolutely gigantic! When the time came for the
boarding process to begin, the horn of the ship was blown as a signal,
and it vibrated in our chests, blocking out all other sounds from our
ears. One certainly had the feeling of security when contemplating a maritime
journey on such an enormous and apparently capable vessel.
The other instance when I was near a ship is when we had taken our children
to Boston on vacation to see the replica of the Mayflower. This ship was
clearly smaller than the cruise ship; nevertheless, it quickly seized
our respect and admiration for the purpose for which it was engaged. This
particular craft was quite approachable and therefore many of the details
that went into the design and function of the ship were easier to absorb,
giving way to more of a historic charm than did the cruise ship. To us,
the Mayflower represented outstanding determination, while the cruise
ship implied power. My point being, that as we behold the ships as the
Bible tells us to, we can truly learn a great deal....
Now ladies, I want you to liken these great ships to your husband today.
He is the picture of power in your home, being the God ordained authority
as the man, the head. You can't help but notice his greatness when you
come along side of him, and you realize then that he is quite capable
of carrying you and your children safely through life. (Otherwise you
should not have married him!) You must approach this ship of yours with
respect and admiration if you ever expect to get close enough to see the
very intricate design God has placed upon his life. As his wife, you have
that special privilege! Don't misuse that position, or you'll miss the
unique purpose God has for this great ship standing in your harbor...
The next part of verse 3 says those great ships are driven of fierce winds.
So too, our husbands driven by the fierce winds of their goals. How many
of you ladies out there have noticed this?? How about when your family
takes a vacation and your husband wants to drive all day and night in
order to arrive at your destination as quickly as possible, yet all you
want to do is stop at every shop and antique store along the way. To a
woman, such behavior seems to be a "fierce wind" by which men are driven!
While some of their goals are God-given and clearly laid out for them
in the Bible, some are personal goals they have for themselves, for their
families, their business, for their future. Either way, our husbands are
driven by these intense winds and we must, as wives, understand that about
our ships! God himself has designed men to function in this manner. Every
woman must learn that men are driven to fulfill the purpose for which
God has created them. As I said, the closer you get to the ship, the more
you'll learn about how it operates...
So far today, we have seen how great ships are and the fierceness of the
winds that move them along. But the next part of verse 4 I want to apply
to you and I as wives…
"yet are they turned about with a very small helm..."
Ladies, we may feel small and unimportant standing alongside our husbands,
next to those great big ships in our homes, but scripture says the influence
we have upon them is very powerful! We have the ability to turn our men
about, to sway them one way or another. Often what holds the greatest
influence may appear insignificant, but size has nothing to do with importance!
As women, we have an important role in the home as well. Yes, ships, enormous
as they are and driven by awesome winds, may be steered by a very small
helm. One comment is all a wife needs to make, dramatically affecting
the direction her ship will take! Be very careful, ladies, that your tongues
are controlled by God when speaking to your husbands on any topic!
As a pastor's wife, I have learned this important truth, for I am careful
not to interfere with the Lord's leading in my husband's life as the pastor
of the church or otherwise. There is too much at stake... Is the Lord
directing your husband today, dear lady, or are you trying to?? Are you
guilty of fighting against the winds and currents that God has placed
in your husband's life to keep him on a man’s course? You see, the helm
has the power to direct, which means it affects movement and progress.
How are you affecting your husband today? Have you taken the wind out
of his sails with many a discouraging word? Are you holding him back or
slowing him down? As we have seen in prior studies, a shipwreck can mean
injury or even death to the passengers who might be aboard. Ladies, do
you really want to be responsible for throwing your husband off course
with your influence, thereby also injuring the lives of countless other
people? Never underestimate the guidance you impart by your words… Loose
lips sink ships!!
Proverbs 18:21a (KJV)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue...
Oh, it is a terrible power that we women have - this power of influence;
and it clings to us! We cannot shake it off... It grows with our growth,
and strengthens with our strength. It is powerful in every look of our
eye, in every word of our lips, in every act of our lives. Now married,
we are not able to live to ourselves. We will either be a light to illumine,
or a tempest to destroy! Ladies, whether you realize it or not, this necessary
element of power belongs to us all as wives. Let's be careful never to
abuse it or misuse it in our homes! What has your tongue been driving
your husband to perform of late? Are you taking your man off course??
The helm must stay under control of a strong hand in order to be of good
use. I hope that you are yielding yourself to the Lord just as ardently
as you expect your husband to! Do not permit Satan to use your tongue;
steer clear of making unguarded statements… When Jesus Christ controls
our heart and mind, then we need not fear saying the wrong things to our
husbands - or even saying the right things to them in the wrong way! Only
then will our lips direct our men in the right way - "withersoever the
governor listeth" - the way God wills for our ships to go!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
