THE WHEEL--On every boat of reasonable size there is a place from which the vessel is guided. This area is called the pilothouse or the wheelhouse. It is usually in a strategic place on the boat and is generally surrounded by windows to give a good view in all directions. Around this room is found the electronic equipment needed for navigation (radios, depth recorder, compass, loran, auto pilot, etc.), but the thing that stands out most of all in the pilothouse is the WHEEL, or helm. Quite like the wheel on a car or truck, except larger, the moving of it causes the boat to turn from one direction to another. Through a system of pulleys and chains (with more modern vessels hydraulically), the wheel moves the rudder that is behind the prop in order to deflect the water, causing the vessel to change directions. Of all the necessary parts of a vessel, the wheel would top all. Without it functioning, the motor, electronic equipment, or even the crew is of no value.

While working on a shrimp trawler when I was young, I remember looking many times at my father, the captain, and seeing him hold the big wheel. It seemed as if he had the whole world in his hand. It was hard to imagine that the mere turning of the wheel would move the entire boat in any direction. So necessary is the control of the wheel that even a small mistake in steering in some areas could mean the destruction of the entire vessel.

So like the lives of people are boats and ships as they move in and out of harbor to accomplish the work for which they are built. By the way, who is at the steering wheel of your life? Some would say that they control or steer themselves, but that would be a foolish statement. A ship cannot steer itself. There must be a pilot, and that pilot or captain for mankind must be God!

Many people confess God's existence but completely fail to understand what His work really is. You see, in the Bible man is God's creation and He desires to guide man in his work on earth. It is God Who must have the wheel of men's lives or they end up in failure and loss. "0 Lord, I know that the

way of man is not in himself.• it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).

The wheel of your life is your heart. That is what God asked for. You see, if God has your heart He has you in control. That is why salvation and an eternity with God in Heaven is contingent upon a belief in the work of Christ from the heart. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine HEART that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shaft be saved" (Romans 10:9). Who is steering your life? Why not move aside today and let Jesus take control?

Concerned? Then write and we will send you other free helpful literature.

E-MAIL THIS LINK
Enter recipient's e-mail:

Links

Tract Menu

 

Fishers of Men Ministries International
Fishers of Men Publications
PO Box 400
Bon Secour AL 36511-0400 USA