Sailing: A Metaphor for Living by Faith
Isaac Megbolugbe
November 3, 2025
Introduction
Sailing, as a metaphor, has been a powerful symbol of freedom, escape, and calm in the midst of life’s turmoil. Christopher Cross’ iconic song, “Sailing,” captures the essence of this metaphor, evoking memories of childhood innocence and tranquility. However, from a biblical perspective, sailing can also represent a profound spiritual truth: living by faith in the midst of life’s turbulence.
The Turbulence of Life
Life is full of ups and downs, twists and turns. We face storms and turbulence, uncertainty and unpredictability. Just as the physical ocean can be rough and unforgiving, our emotional and spiritual lives can be equally challenging. We experience anxiety, fear, and doubt, struggling to stay afloat amidst the waves of adversity.
Sailing by Faith
The apostle Paul writes, “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Sailing, in this context, represents living by faith, trusting in God’s sovereignty and provision amidst life’s turbulence. Just as a sailor relies on the wind and currents to navigate, we rely on God’s guidance and strength to navigate life’s challenges.
The Peace and Tranquility of Faith
When we sail by faith, we experience a profound sense of peace and tranquility, unburdened by the circumstances of life. This doesn’t mean that the storms and turbulence disappear, but rather that we are equipped to face them with confidence and hope. As the psalmist writes, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
The Lessons of Sailing
Sailing teaches us valuable lessons about living by faith:
1. Trust in God’s sovereignty: Just as the sailor trusts the wind and currents, we trust God’s guidance and provision.
2. Stay anchored in faith: The sailor drops anchor to stabilize the boat; we anchor ourselves in faith to weather life’s storms.
3. Navigate with prayer and scripture: The sailor uses navigational tools; we use prayer and scripture to navigate life’s challenges.
4. Experience peace and tranquility: Sailing by faith brings a profound sense of peace and tranquility, even in turbulent times.
Conclusion
Sailing, as a metaphor, reminds us that living by faith is a journey, not a destination. It’s a process of trusting, surrendering, and navigating life’s turbulence with God as our guide. As we sail through life’s challenges, may we experience the peace and tranquility that comes from living by faith, unburdened by the circumstances of life.
The Turbulence of Life: Navigating the Storms
Life is a complex and dynamic journey, full of ups and downs, twists and turns. Just as the physical ocean can be rough and unforgiving, our emotional and spiritual lives can be equally challenging. We face storms and turbulence, uncertainty and unpredictability, struggling to stay afloat amidst the waves of adversity.
The Nature of Turbulence
Turbulence is an inherent part of life, manifesting in various forms:
1. Emotional Turbulence: Anxiety, fear, doubt, and uncertainty can create emotional turmoil, making it difficult to navigate life’s challenges.
2. Relational Turbulence: Conflicts, misunderstandings, and broken relationships can cause emotional pain and distress.
3. Circumstantial Turbulence: Unexpected events, such as job loss, illness, or financial struggles, can create uncertainty and upheaval.
4. Spiritual Turbulence: Doubts, fears, and uncertainties about God’s nature, plan, and presence can create spiritual unrest.
The Impact of Turbulence
Turbulence can have a profound impact on our lives:
1. Emotional Exhaustion: Constant struggle and uncertainty can lead to emotional exhaustion, burnout, and fatigue.
2. Loss of Direction: Turbulence can make it difficult to discern our purpose, direction, and goals.
3. Strained Relationships: Conflicts and misunderstandings can strain relationships, causing emotional pain and distance.
4. Spiritual Stagnation: Doubts and fears can hinder spiritual growth, causing us to question God’s presence and plan.
Navigating the Turbulence
While turbulence is inevitable, we can navigate it with hope and resilience:
1. Anchor in Faith: Trusting in God’s sovereignty, guidance, and provision can provide stability and peace amidst turbulence.
2. Seek Support: Surrounding ourselves with supportive relationships, community, and resources can help us navigate life’s challenges.
3. Practice Self-Care: Prioritizing emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being can help us cope with turbulence.
4. Focus on the Horizon: Keeping our eyes on the horizon, focusing on our purpose and goals, can help us navigate through uncertainty.
Conclusion
The turbulence of life is a natural part of our journey. While it can be challenging and overwhelming, we can navigate it with hope and resilience. By anchoring ourselves in faith, seeking support, practicing self-care, and focusing on the horizon, we can ride the waves of adversity, emerging stronger, wiser, and more compassionate.
Sailing by Faith: Trusting God’s Sovereignty in Life’s Turbulence
The apostle Paul writes, “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). This profound statement encapsulates the essence of sailing by faith, trusting in God’s sovereignty and provision amidst life’s turbulence. Just as a sailor relies on the wind and currents to navigate, we rely on God’s guidance and strength to navigate life’s challenges.
The Nature of Faith
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It’s the confidence that God is who He says He is, and that He will do what He promises. Sailing by faith means trusting in God’s character, attributes, and promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain or overwhelming.
The Sovereignty of God
God’s sovereignty is the foundation of sailing by faith. He is the all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving God who governs the universe and orchestrates events for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). Trusting in God’s sovereignty means acknowledging His control and guidance in every aspect of our lives.
The Provision of God
God’s provision is the assurance that He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). Sailing by faith means trusting in God’s provision, knowing that He will give us the strength, wisdom, and resources we need to navigate life’s challenges.
Lessons from Sailing
Sailing teaches us valuable lessons about living by faith:
1. Trust in God’s Guidance: Just as a sailor trusts the wind and currents, we trust God’s guidance and direction in our lives.
2. Stay Anchored in Faith: The sailor drops anchor to stabilize the boat; we anchor ourselves in faith to weather life’s storms.
3. Navigate with Prayer and Scripture: The sailor uses navigational tools; we use prayer and scripture to navigate life’s challenges.
4. Experience Peace and Tranquility: Sailing by faith brings a profound sense of peace and tranquility, even in turbulent times.
The Benefits of Sailing by Faith
Sailing by faith has numerous benefits:
1. Peace and Tranquility: Trusting in God’s sovereignty and provision brings a deep sense of peace and tranquility.
2. Confidence and Hope: Faith gives us confidence and hope, knowing that God is in control and working all things for our good.
3. Strength and Resilience: Sailing by faith equips us with the strength and resilience to navigate life’s challenges.
4. Deeper Relationship with God: Trusting in God’s sovereignty and provision deepens our relationship with Him, fostering intimacy and dependence.
Conclusion
Sailing by faith is a journey of trusting in God’s sovereignty and provision amidst life’s turbulence. As we navigate the challenges of life, may we anchor ourselves in faith, trusting in God’s guidance, provision, and strength. May we experience the peace, tranquility, confidence, and hope that come from sailing by faith, and may we deepen our relationship with God, the ultimate Navigator of our lives.
The Peace and Tranquility of Faith: Unburdened by Circumstances
When we sail by faith, we experience a profound sense of peace and tranquility, unburdened by the circumstances of life. This doesn’t mean that the storms and turbulence disappear, but rather that we are equipped to face them with confidence and hope. As the psalmist writes, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
The Nature of Peace and Tranquility
Peace and tranquility are the natural byproducts of faith. When we trust in God’s sovereignty and provision, our hearts and minds are filled with a sense of calm and serenity, even in the midst of turmoil. This peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God in the midst of it.
The Source of Peace and Tranquility
The source of our peace and tranquility is God Himself. He is our refuge, our strength, and our ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). When we anchor ourselves in faith, we tap into God’s infinite peace and tranquility, which transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
The Benefits of Peace and Tranquility
The peace and tranquility of faith have numerous benefits:
1. Emotional Stability: Peace and tranquility bring emotional stability, helping us navigate life’s challenges with confidence and hope.
2. Mental Clarity: A calm and serene mind is better equipped to make wise decisions and discern God’s will.
3. Deeper Relationship with God: Experiencing God’s peace and tranquility deepens our relationship with Him, fostering intimacy and dependence.
4. Witness to Others: Our peace and tranquility can be a powerful witness to others, demonstrating the reality of God’s presence and power.
Cultivating Peace and Tranquility
We can cultivate peace and tranquility by:
1. Anchoring ourselves in faith: Trusting in God’s sovereignty and provision brings peace and tranquility.
2. Practicing prayer and scripture: Engaging with God’s Word and prayer brings calm and serenity to our minds and hearts.
3. Seeking community: Surrounding ourselves with supportive relationships and community brings peace and tranquility.
4. Focusing on the present: Living in the present moment, rather than worrying about the future or past, brings peace and tranquility.
Conclusion
The peace and tranquility of faith are precious gifts that enable us to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and hope. As we sail by faith, may we experience the profound sense of peace and tranquility that comes from trusting in God’s sovereignty and provision. May we anchor ourselves in faith, cultivate peace and tranquility, and demonstrate the reality of God’s presence and power in our lives.
Concluding Remarks: Embracing the Journey of Faith
Sailing, as a metaphor, reminds us that living by faith is a journey, not a destination. It’s a process of trusting, surrendering, and navigating life’s turbulence with God as our guide. This journey is not always easy, but it’s in the midst of challenges that we discover the depths of God’s love, provision, and guidance.
As we sail through life’s challenges, may we experience the peace and tranquility that comes from living by faith, unburdened by the circumstances of life. May we remember that our faith is not a static state, but a dynamic and ongoing process of trusting, surrendering, and navigating.
May we anchor ourselves in the unchanging truth of God’s Word, and may we be empowered by the Holy Spirit to navigate life’s complexities with wisdom, discernment, and courage. May we be surrounded by a community of believers who encourage, support, and pray for us as we journey through life.
As we sail by faith, may we reflect the character of God to a world in need of hope, love, and redemption. May our lives be a testament to the transformative power of faith, and may we bring glory to God in all that we do.
In the words of the apostle Paul, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13).
May we, like Paul, learn to sail by faith, trusting in God’s sovereignty and provision, and experiencing the peace and tranquility that comes from living by faith. May we say with confidence, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Isaac Megbolugbe, Director of GIVA Ministries International, retired professor at Johns Hopkins University, 2024 Marquis Organization’s Class of Top Executives in the United States of America and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He is resident in the United States of America
