A Lesson in Kite-Flying

When the weather warms and the wind blows at a constant pace, a wide variety of kite kit displays are sure to appear in the stores. The winter chill is gradually being pushed aside, along with those fluffy white clouds. Your local park becomes a good destination for a lazy Sunday adventure in flight.

After a quick stop at the store to buy the essential package, you are on your way. You start with a plastic sheet, perhaps decorated with your favorite fictional character or an intricate artistic design. Then you add a plastic tube frame and a small roll of twine. Quickly, you assemble the kite’s pieces and parts into the grand work of art advertised on the package.

Your wet index finger reveals the direction of the wind. This time, it is coming from the west. You are ready to be the next aviation superstar—another Charles Lindbergh.

You prepare your craft with all care, waiting for that perfect gust. The swell gathers. The twine is secured in the palm of your hand. You release your kite into the passing breeze.

Then, the crash occurs. Down goes the kite, in what seemed like a fraction of a second.

What could cause such a disaster? Everything seemed to be perfect. The breeze was blowing. The kite was sturdy—constructed with a soundness and care that would make Wilbur and Orville Wright proud. Yet, it still came crashing to the ground.

Suddenly, while you are examining the wreckage of your once-beautiful flying machine, a passing eight-year-old asks you, “Where’s your tail?”

What?

A kite tail is a cloth strip attached to the “toe” or bottom point of the kite, to work as a rudder. The tail attachment provides enough weight for the entire apparatus to stand upright, and it supplies guidance in the breeze.

“Aha!” you say. “How simple! How could I have forgotten?” Eagerly, you find a strip of cloth you can use, then secure it to your kite.

Your re-moistened index finger tip reconfirms the wind direction. The trees around you echo with the approaching gust. The wind passes and gracefully lifts your plastic aircraft skyward. Up it goes! And, this time, it stays!

What Is Your Rudder?

We all need a rudder in our personal lives, but it has to be much more than a cloth fragment. Our rudder needs to be an unwavering belief—a foundation of truth and a structure for living. We need a rudder that keeps us upright in the strongest winds and steering us away from every wind of false doctrine. A rudder that can direct us on our journey through life is also a light to keep us from the crashes that this world can place on our path.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, a young teacher was confronted by the most evil of forces. He was questioned on the simplest basics of beliefs, doctrines, plans and desires. His rudder was firm, secure and carried more weight than any human being had ever known. That young man, Jesus Christ, knew that His rudder was the word of God (Matthew 4:1–11).

Ancient King David explained in Psalm 119:97–104 that this rudder for true success in life was given to mankind for knowledge, direction and happiness. David understood that he was given direct insight into the mind of God through the use of this rudder—so he was careful to use it  very wisely in his duties as a king, and he carefully sought to pass it down to his children. In doing so, he became known as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).

The exact same rudder is available to each of us—but we must be willing to attach it to our own life. We can make the word of God our personal rudder, which will keep us upright and flying level.

Call or write to the Regional Office nearest you (listed on page 4 of this magazine) to receive our free booklet The Bible: Fact or Fiction? Or read it online at our Web site. It will help you put a rudder on your life.