For many, a ship represents several ideas such as a lucky business venture, or good news from afar. To some, it signifies romance or even the arrival information, but when the Lord told me that I was a ship, it was something more profound. I heard the same words describing me as a ship through the mouths of different people, at different times, and different locales. For that reason, I have taken this image seriously.
The Word of the Lord came to me: I AM A SHIP GOING ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. THE SLAVE
SHIPS WERE FORCED ACROSS THE WATERS INTO THE AMERICAS. NOW, HE IS SENDING ME
BACK. I have made stops at port of calls
to fill up the hull of my boat with knowledge and compassion. All the years of
study were to prepare me for such a time as this to build His schools.
While in this present Youth With A Mission school, I have learned more about relationship and team building. For a ship is worked by mariners, sailors, not sailor. I must have a crew of stakeholders, brothers and sisters in Christ, who work alongside me. Someone must swab the deck, clean the hull, stock the fire, etc.
Like a ship, I wait for God for direction; a ship's course is frequently directed by the heavenly bodies:
"And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away" (Acts 27:20).
A ship is guided from the helm by a pilot; my pilot is
of course the Holy Spirit. It is owned by an individual; Creator God is my owner. The master of my boat is Christ. Still storms, rocks, and often threaten the ship.
Ships can be wrecked on the rocks and literally leave the faith. The rocks are
the peril of sin as illustrated in the following verse:"Holding onto faith, and a good conscience, which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck their lives" (I Timothy 1:19).
Quicksand
consists of those sins that catch us unaware- it can be bitterness, animosity, and
un-forgiveness. These things are hard to get rid of by ourselves. We must take
soundings in our spirit so that we do not run aground. We can get stuck and
unable to move because of the lethargy and lassitude. Deep calls to deep (Psalm 42:7); we must stay in
deep with God. Jesus told the disciples to come out into the deep if they were
to catch fish (Luke 5:4). Shallow water will stop the ship.
Therefore, soundings are usually taken in dangerous places where the ship is likely to become stuck:
"And sounded, and found it twenty
fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found
it fifteen fathoms” (Acts 27:28). I must constantly ask the question: Am I moving forward with God or am stuck?
Yet, there is still good news: when a ship is damaged, it can be under-girded
with cables so that it can continue its voyage to port. The undergirding or the support of friends and family is integral to the ship's progress.When waters are calm, things are going well, but on rough water, which can symbolize danger, unreliable people, and disquieting circumstances will come. Rough waters are not easily broken, but the Master of seas is Jesus, and even the winds waves obey him (Mark4:41)
Finally, a boat must remain balanced: The mast of a ship tall, vertical or near
which supports the sails. Large ships usually have several masts depending on their size. My vertical relationship with God keeps me balanced, and if that relationship is balanced, maintaining relationships with others is easier and healthier.
A boat represents companionship, discoveries, protection from danger, safe refuge, and help in trouble. I am clearly on a journey where I am discovering who I am. There has obviously been a change of abode as Have moved from Texas to South Africa.
Bon Voyage,
MJ
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