When we think about a ship, we may think about a cruise ship, a sail boat, or a yacht. These are beautiful ways to travel on the water. We think of luxury, expensive trips, traveling in style, and that being on one of these would be such amazing an dream.
But remember that these modes of transportation are fallible. One storm and that boat can sink. There are been thousands of ships, boats, yachts, that have been sunk because of these storms. The wind comes up, the waves toss these vessels about on the sea, and at times, they cannot withstand the tempest. They fall apart, and the people are left to survive in what can be un-survivable conditions.
These people are not without hope. They have a life boat and life vests that can be used, they just have to remember that these devices are on board, and not panic. They need to keep their wits about them and than do what needs to be done. They need to know that they are unable to save their self without the proper tools.
This brings me to my point. We read in Mark 5:37,about the storm that arose and the boat that Jesus and the disciples were traveling across the sea. The storm hit and the boat was beginning to fill with water. Jesus had been asleep during the storm and in a panic the disciples awakened Him. They became fearful, and rightfully so with the boat filling up with water, and they knew this meant it could sink.
Jesus arose from His sleep, and stood up on the boat and rebuked the sea. He told it to be still and the wind immediately died down and became perfectly calm. He asked them why were they so afraid? Where was their faith? They were relying on the boat and when it looked like it would sink, they realized it was not as safe as they believed. They panicked and forgot who they were in the presence of.
In life, we run into storms. These storms can be relational, emotional, financial, or spiritual. We are cruising along on smooth seas and BAM, her comes the wind and the waves. Our lives are tossed about and we begin to fear. Will I be divorced, will I fail, will I lose all I own, will I spend eternity in hell? These are all very valid fears, if we are thinking in worldly terms, and yes, these things happen to people everyday.
The important thing is to remember the tools we have been given to survive in these storms, even if our ship sinks. First and foremost, we must remember what those tools are. You wouldn't grab your cell phone or wallet, grab the person your with, or even a picture of all the things you own if the boat was sinking! That would be ridiculous and you would drown. No, if you were told and trained, or you are with a captain, you know that there are life boats, and life vests for just such an emergency.
The key at this point is to remember these tools are available. You have a means of surviving. It may not be easy, the storm is still raging all around, waves may be crashing all around, wind is whipping the seas into a frenzy, but there is hope!
As I have been through many storms, I have been taught the hard lesson of remembering these tools. Who or where do I turn when this happens? I turn to Christ, His word, and prayer! These are the tools we have been given to survive the storms of life. With these things, no matter how strong the storm is, I am safe. Not because of the stuff I own, or the people I know, the car I drive, the house I own, the job I have, or my bank account. All of these things can be gone in the blink of an eye.
I am safe, in the calm that Christ creates for me. His word is the life boat, the Holy Spirit is the life vest, and Christ Himself is the Captain of the ship called life that I am traveling on. I know my husband is always by my side, but he is not even able to save me in the storm, because he has to get his own life vest on, and get himself in the boat. Not that he would not sacrifice to try to save me, but that is not his job.
As I sit her and write this, I am nearly in tears because I have put this man in that position many of times in the past. I have relied on him to not only find my vest, but put it on me, carry to the life raft, and place me in it, all the while not worrying about if he had his on. This hasn't always been the case in our marriage, but in recent times it has.
This past week as another storm hit me full on, I once again wanted to turn to him. I wanted him to be the one who saved me from the storm, but I realized it is not fair to him. He is on the same ship, and he must look after himself. I must trust the captain of my life, CHRIST, and know that he has equipped me with the tools needed to be safe. Easier said than done depending on how fast that ship is sinking!
Once we are saved, we must remember what we did to survive, who to turn to, and praise God that we are still alive. We cannot focus on the storm, but on what we need to do to live. This can be hard for some because they can only see the loss. They are so focused on that, which can be very deep and hard to get out of at times, but need to appreciate that they are still alive. There is a reason that they lived, that they survived, that they still have a chance at life.
We have all heard the saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Well I believe that. The storms of life are not meant to kill you but to make you stronger. They change you in ways you might never have expected. They send you into different directions, open up new things, make you appreciate the blessings in your life. They have a way of changing your focus, which if you will allow, can be in a very positive way.
So my hubby is off the hook, like that little pun there, and is not my life vest. Heck he is in the same boat with me so we must both make sure we can survive. We are riding life's storms on the same boat, but rather than get into fear, we must remember the tools that God has given us, trust our captain, and safely get into that life raft, back to shore, and keep on moving.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, today I pray for you and whatever storm you may be going through. I pray that you would know what tools God has equipped you with, and that you would use them. God did not give you a spirit of fear, He calls you to, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9. My you be courageous this week, and find strength in the Lord for whatever comes your way.
GOD BLESS!
Your sister in Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment