Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

  - Psalm 46.10

St. Brendan entered the boat, and with hoisted sail they set off westward into the summer solstice. They had a favorable wind and needed to do no more than trim the sail. But after fifteen days the wind dropped and they rowed and rowed until their strength failed. Then straightaway St. Brendan began to give them words of comfort and encouragement: “Brothers, you have nothing to fear, for God is our helper. He is our navigator and helmsman, and He shall guide us. Pull in the oars and the rudder. Spread the sail and let God do as He wishes with His servants and their boat.”

  - Anonymous, The Voyage of Brendan, Irish, 12th century[1]

Studies have shown that creativity works in a peculiar manner.

When you are faced with a creative challenge – solve a problem, compose a song or poem, find a way out of a situation – the resolution usually comes during a period of rest, after a season of intense effort and concentrated struggle.

You bend your back to the challenge and pull with all your might on the oars, but you’re getting nowhere. You’ve thought, figured, tried, and labored, but the answer or solution just won’t come.

Take a rest. Offer the challenge up to the Lord in prayer, and find something else to do. While you are happily occupied with something else, the answer will begin to form itself in your mind, often, all at once and whole.

The spiritual life is like this, too, and this is the lesson Brendan’s hagiographer wanted us to learn. Getting started in the life of faith or some new venture for the Lord is the easy part, like Brendan and his men, heading off in their leather boat to follow Jesus over the western sea.

Staying the course, making steady progress, growing in grace and truth – this is where we begin to grow weary.

But we need to remember that the same wind of the Spirit that brought us to new life in Christ is always ready to fill and direct us on our course with Him. We need to do our part of course, working out our ownsalvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2.12). But none of our trying to improve, overcome some sin, be a better person, or accomplish some good work for the Lord will bear the fruit we desire apart from the Spirit’s blessing and power (Jn. 6.63).

So when you feel your strength beginning to fail, be still, rest in the Lord, spread the sails of your faith into the wind of the Spirit, and bask in His reviving breezes. Listen to His still, small voice, speaking in His Word. Be filled with Him, and as He fills you, give thanks, sing with rejoicing, and look for someone to bless. Your strength will renew, your focus will return, and you will grow in the Lord Jesus as the Spirit of God works in and through you.

Surprising things can happen in our walk with and work for the Lord when, after we’ve given it our best shot, we cease striving and rest in the Lord. Look to His Word. Meditate on His beauty and power. Give Him space to operate as He will in your heart and mind, and let Him guide you in ways you may never have dared to ask or think (Eph. 3.20).

We can avoid a good deal of frustration and anxiety if, when everything seems to be muddled beyond hope, we ship our oars, offer the challenge up to the Lord, and get on with something else. We will know His power and presence as God and Lord when we turn from our own strength and make room for Him to fill our sails.

Struggling with something today? Looking for some creative solution to a vexing problem? Learn the wisdom of resting your challenge with the Lord, and watch what He can do.

Psalm 27.14 (Joanna: “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)
Wait, wait on the Lord; persevere in His grace.
Hold fast to His Word; seek His radiant face.
Be strong, set your heart to abide in His Word;
His grace He imparts; therefore, wait on the Lord.

Visit me, O my Creator, my Lord, my King; in my spirit I seek You in the everlasting Kingdom where You rule.Based on anonymous, “All Alone in My Little Cell.”

Thank you
We rejoice in the Lord for the way He is moving many of you to become supporters of Crosfigell and The Fellowship of Ailbe. Thank you for sharing with us in this ministry, and for encouraging us by your gifts to continue hoisting our sails into the Spirit’s wind.

This month we are opening the fall/winter session of The Ailbe Seminary. Three courses are available, and you can learn more about these offerings by clicking here. Later this month we will introduce a new outreach to pastors, The Pastoral Hope Initiative, a series of self-assessments designed to help pastors and shepherds refocus, refuel, and unfurl their sails into the Spirit’s wind with new vision and hope.

Your prayers, support, and referrals help to bring the Kingdom ministry of The Fellowship of Ailbe to more people. Please consider giving a gift to support our ministry at this time.

It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

May the Lord continue to bless your walk with and work for Him.

T. M. Moore, Principal
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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.