“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”
I had no idea what a windlass is. I encountered the phrase “as a windlass and bucket” in studying this verse. The image describes what Solomon means when he refers to how the person of insight draws out the deep purposes of someone’s heart. Many years ago I went to graduate school to pursue a degree in counseling psychology. At the time counselors with both the skilled technique of a trained therapist and a solid biblical faith guiding their counsel were difficult to find in our community. Our ministry saw the value and the need. A windlass is essentially a winch. It allows a person to lower a bucket into a well to retrieve a substantial amount of water. For me at the time that was graduate school. Solomons point is that it takes not only skill but insights. The kind of insights that go beyond the normal ability of a person. This is a role the Holy Spirit offers the follower of Christ. Jesus had the ability to look directly into a persons heart. We don’t. However, His Spirit does and can provide His followers with insights that can assist in helping us draw a persons deep, even forgotten, thoughts out of the well of their soul. This kind of gift can and should be developed. Our world needs gifted listeners. Today with the Holy Spirit as your windlass help those in your journey discover who God has called them to be. #BeTheEdge
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 NIV