The Gybing and Tacking Technique

 In this last portion of Paul’s instruction and encouragement letter to Timothy, his central point leads to 6:11-12, which speaks of fleeing and pursuing. We are called to ‘flee these things’, which are 6 things stated in vs.4-7, 10 (unhealthy controversy, envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicion, constant friction, and the love of money). And called to Pursue 7 things: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness (faithfulness), gentleness, and eternal life. (I will focus on 'righteousness'.)

Therefore, if we are sailing through life in a manner that is not worthy of how Jesus has called you to live, behave, speak, think etc. then I guess its time to turn towards him and move in his direction. With my limited understanding of sailing, I know one must harness the wind, and in order to do that, the captain must adjust the sails and at times make hard turns called ‘Gybing or Tacking’. This tells me that if I follow the wind’s power with my sailboat, I need to turn, flee, abandon one direction to go in the other direction. In football terms, this play is called a ‘Flee Flicker’, you watch a player run one way with the ball, while another player comes for a handoff and then, he and the ball run in the opposite direction away from all the big line backers to move the ball forward.

So, turn your ship and sails towards the saving power of Christ, create a flee flicker play in your life and pursue righteousness, and learn to sail in and under the power of Christ.