Side Winds

I have heard that a full wind behind the ship drives her not so fast forward as a side wind, that seems almost as much against her as with her; and the reason, they say, is because a full wind fills but some of her sails, which keep it from the rest, that they are empty; when a side wind fills all her sails, and sets her speedily forward. Whichever way we go in this world our affections are our sails; and according as they are spread and filled, so we pass on swifter, or slower, whither we are steering. Now, if the Lord should give us a full wind and continued gale of mercies, it would fill but some of our sails—some of our affections—joy, delight, and the like. But when he comes with a side wind,—a dispensation that seems almost as much against us as for us,—then he fills our sails, takes up all our affections, making his works wide and broad enough to entertain every one,—then we are carried fully and freely towards the haven where we would be.--Owen.