I enjoy being around any kind of water, but it’s the ocean that draws me in the most. The smell of the salty air and the sound of the waves crashing against the beach can pull me out of even my grumpiest mood. Somehow, I can breathe deeper there—exhale, soften, and smile.
When I lived by the ocean, I loved walking around the boat dock. Some boats were clearly lived in, while others stayed tied to the pier—waiting for the occasional trip out onto the water. I was always most fascinated by the sailboats. A few of them never seemed to move at all. I’d walk by and wonder why someone would have something so beautiful, so capable of adventure, only to keep it tied up. Maybe that’s because I’ve always wanted to learn how to sail. There’s something exhilarating—and a little scary—about the idea of using nothing but the wind to carry you forward.
But I’ve realized we can be just like those sailboats.
We’re created with purpose and potential, built to raise our sails and move—really move—through life. And yet, for so many reasons, we stay docked. We choose what feels safe. We stay where anger, fear, pain, or resentment have anchored us. We forget that we were made for the open water.
When we stay tied to the harbor too long, we don’t thrive. We rust. We gather cobwebs. We become a version of ourselves that was never meant to be permanent.
Maybe it’s time to ask for help in getting “our sailboat” seaworthy again. With prayer, healing, and the right people around us, we can raise our sails once more. We can step into the life we were created for.
Think of it this way: God is the wind. When all we have left is a sail—tired, unsure, or worn—He is the power that moves us. We don’t have to create the wind. We just have to lift the sail.
As we say goodbye to this year and welcome a new one, maybe it’s time to loosen the ropes. To leave the harbor. To trust the wind. To finally do what we were made to do.
Before you click away, take a quiet moment to ask God where He may be inviting you to loosen the ropes in your own life. Pray and listen for the areas where He’s calling you to raise your sails and trust His wind again. If you feel led, share your reflection in the comments—I would be honored to pray with you as we step into this new year together.
