Nov 2025

November 2025

Even on the far side of the sea…*

Finding our way when feeling adrift….

Shackleton’s Antarctic 800-mile sea voyage in an adapted wooden lifeboat, the James Caird, is an incredible story. When reading the National Geographic’s description of the treacherous voyage I was amazed at the navigational skills used. Beleaguered by almost constant dark skies, the navigator Worsley calculated their small boat’s position from just four glimpses of the sun, during their 13 day ordeal across icy waters.

Sea terminology is used to describe certain life states. We may say ‘we feel adrift’, because a particular plan has not worked out, or we have lost some of our motivation and direction in life.

This post is written for anyone who is feeling adrift in their lives.

Worsley sought glimpses of the sun to get his bearing and because of the ordered nature of the world and nautical records, he could make accurate estimate of the James Caird’s location and course setting.

King David of Israel knew what it was to travel across treacherous waters in life, but he had no recourse to use sextant or nautical charts to find his way. Instead, David reflected on the Scriptures available to him and came into a living knowledge of God as his Shepherd during his lifetime. King David wrote in Psalm 139 that there was nowhere on planet Earth where the Lord could not see him. Similarly astounding is that in the vast recesses of his human heart David was assured the Lord knew every anxious thought; even those David himself could not fathom.

What can be gained from the testimony of King David in Psalm 139?

First, even when we don’t know where we are in our predicament, the Lord does. If we ask Him to shepherd our lives, He will lead us to a new life with Him. This changes all our experiences from being solo ones to ones where we have the companionship and leadership of a guide.

King David asks for the one thing we must preserve above all in else treacherous waters, – our very souls. How does he request his soul is preserved? David asks the Lord to ‘test me and know my anxious thoughts’ and to ‘see if there is any offensive way in me and to lead me in the way everlasting’, Psalm 139 v 23-24 (NIV).

Let’s take these in turn:

‘test me and know my anxious thoughts’ Psalm 139:23b (NIV).

i.e. ‘Where am I Lord?’

This is an invitation to ask for the Lord’s light upon our lives. First, we need light to see our true state, is there a part of our lives driven by fear, or by a wrong level of attachment to a person or an activity? We can come to God and ask him to show us, ‘What is driving me at the moment?

If a person comes to mind, is my reaction to this person leading me off course or helping me fulfil my responsibilities? Do we sense that we are acting from faith and insight or more from habit. Simply notice here if you sense inner clarity or turmoil, enthusiasm or apathy, this is part of identifying ‘where you are’.

‘See if there is any offensive way in me….’ Psalm 139:24a (NIV)

Watch for the undercurrents sending us off course

When we are adrift, we may be unaware of the unseen forces against us. So, to take an example, if we have an undercurrent of fear it may be seen by our avoiding people or challenging aspects of our work. Other undercurrents that can be unseen are unhealthy attachments or unforgiveness. These again may present in our over-consideration of some people to the neglect of others in our lives.

Passivity can be an undercurrent, where we have grown used to problems and are no longer seeing ourselves as agents of change. Some problems need not only our prayers (vital as these are) but inspired faith-actions to address them fully.

Distractions can be an undercurrent in life, where too much time is spent chasing the fashions of the media in terms of home and lifestyle rather than seeking out of own deep path through this life. We have a unique contribution to make in each facet of our life. At this stage just ask the Lord to help you notice and note the undercurrents, describing their wider effect without judgment.

‘..lead me in the way everlasting’ Psalm 139v24 b, (NIV)

Start rowing! – towards connection and life

In life we need to act towards good goals. We will experience more connection and life by watching our efforts towards key people and to the activities we do.

We can begin by asking the Lord ‘Which area of my life needs my focus? Perhaps list your key relationships, what time and effort are needed in each one, and what is given? Or you may feel it is an activity that you have neglected. Start with areas that you usually avoid, these are often the ones that are most key. (When we only put effort into the things that we like doing we are like a rower using only one oar, going round in circles with one strong arm). Be encouraged as you row to use the unused oar; as you make a phone call to a relative or friend you haven’t called in a while or as you examine a local community situation that has been concerning you. Ask the Lord to show you what you can do to improve the situation or who else you might work with to move things forward.

King David found that asking the Lord’s help and following His inspiration leads to the greatest vision of one’s own life; as God’s love and vision for our lives far exceeds our own. So, take heart and take the challenge to find the way to more connected life. You may travel across fearful waters, but with the Shepherd in your boat, you’re in wondrous company and you will reach land and life.

Postscript:

For staying on course, you may find the book ‘Re-imagining the Ignatian Examen’ helpful, (see bibliography). It’s a book on having ten minutes of prayerful reflection, later in your day, noticing the undercurrents of the day and the good priorities to pursue tomorrow.

Feeling Adrift – article by Adeline Warburton, 21.08.25

Bibliography:

Heacox K, 1999, Shackleton The Antarctic Challenge, Washington U.S.A., National Geographic Society

Kolber A, 2020, Try Softer: A Fresh approach to Move us out of Anxiety Stress and Survival Mode – and into a Life of Connection and Joy, U.S.A., Tyndale

Thibodeaux, M.E., 2015, Re-imagining the Ignatian examen, Chicago U.S.A., Loyalapress

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