The Father of the Winds

Oh, Father of the Four Winds, fill my sails,

Across the sea of years... —Led Zeppelen

The author of Hebrews encourages us to leave the baby steps of the Christian life and, as some translations render the phrase, “go on to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1). 

Actually, the mood of the verb translated “go on” is passive and would be better translated, “(Let us) be borne on to maturity,” a small grammatical difference that puts the emphasis on the activity of God. 

I’ve often written that we make progress toward god-likeness solely by asking for it. Goodness is not the product of human effort and ingenuity. It’s the result of prayer. 

So... I can huff and puff to fill my sails, but I will make no progress at all. Or, I can ask the Father of the Winds to fill them.

David Roper

6.1.20

The Winds of God

Oh, Father of the Four Winds, fill my sails,

Across the sea of years. —Led Zeppelen

The author of Hebrews encourages us to leave the baby steps of the Christian life and, as some translations render the phrase, “go on to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1). 

Actually, the mood of the verb translated “go on” is passive and would be better translated, “(Let us) be borne on to maturity,” a small grammatical difference that puts the emphasis on the activity of God. 

I’ve often written that we make progress toward god-likeness solely by asking for it. Goodness is not the product of human effort and ingenuity. It’s the result of prayer. 

I can huff and puff to fill my sails, but I will make no progress at all. Or, I can ask the Father of Winds to fill them.

David Roper

6.1.20