Winter
1988
A Seaworthy Vessel
Diane Dew
Pinecrest Graduate
"They that go down to the sea in ships ... These see
the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep" Psalms
107:23-24.
Some time back, while browsing in a second-hand store, I
came upon a huge, model ship, which I purchased for my little
boy. It was a beautiful ship, Intricate in detail and design,
and true-to-scale. Its majestic sails put it at over three
feet tall. There was only one problem: it wouldn't float.
What a disappointment for my son when, having eagerly drawn
the water for his bath, he set it in the water - only to watch
it sink. The boat's tall mast, supporting the sails, caused
the ship to be top-heavy. As far as Jonathan was concerned,
the boat was totally useless. What good is a ship that cannot
sail?
As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual. We can
have all of the externals of religion, and from all that is
obvious, to appear to bear the characteristics of a Christian.
We can sing spiritual songs, read the right books, take in
all the teaching and attend every service. But unless we apply
what we have learned; unless we can pass the tests of life
- if the ship won't sail, so to speak - it doesn't matter
how good we look or how great we sound: our testimony is useless.
If the wind never catches our sails; if, in our secure place
of mooring, we have become content to sit idly by, we will
never come to experience the freedom and fulfillment that
is in Christ.
Ironically, some of the very things intended to support
our walk (as the mast supports the sails), when disproportionately
emphasized above our primary responsibilities - even these
can throw us off balance in our relationship with God. If
the devil can't get us to do something outright evil, he'll
attempt to distract us with an inordinate concern for valid,
even honorable activities. He knows that if he can fill our
schedules with substitutes, with anything less than the best,
we will fall short in our walk, and perhaps be weakened enough
to sin the next time. One does not have to empty a vessel,
to remove its contents. It can simply be filled with something
else, and the original contents, spilling over, will be displaced.
Even good things - fellowship, listening to Christian music,
studying – when they consume too much of our time, or
replace matters of greater importance(such as prayer or worship),
can leave us drained. A tiny leak can sink a large ship. Yet,
because it happens so gradually, much damage can be incurred
before a change is noticed at all.
Perhaps the rabbi who passed by the injured Samaritan on
the wayside was on his way to the Temple. He had passed this
way many times before. He may even have been praying as he
walked, "Lord, here I am. Use me." Yet, because
of his spiritual insensitivity, he didn't recognize an opportunity
to practice what he was going to the Temple to learn (or teach!),
even when it stared him in the face.
In our efforts to be trained of God, it is easy to get our
eyes on the process - and lose sight of the goal. Neglecting
one's family to attend services, for example, might seem noble
at first, or even spiritual. But in time it will leave its
blighted mark. God is as concerned about ministering to our
loved ones as He is about preparing us for ministry. Think
about this: I sit not the unsaved to whom you hope to minister?
Many in the body of Christ have confined themselves to part
of what is available for them. Secure in their place of mooring,
they will polish the deck and clean the rig; but they are
not willing to venture out into the deep; yet it is there,
in the test of the waters, that their true sufficiency is
made known. It is there that the miracle of God's grace and
provision is made manifest. (Mark 4:35-37)
There is a valid time of preparation, a time of building
and stabilizing. But the day comes when, if any ship is to
fulfill its purpose, it must setsail, leave shore, and skim
the horizon.
God wants seaworthy vessels: prepared to leave port, stem
the tides, maintain a charted course, and return in full strength.
He equips us to serve with a purpose. In a sense, we are to
be models of Christ's character – even as that toy ship
was a model, or replica, of a larger vessel. We are to be
a testimony to the world of the love and grace of God. But
it is not enough that they hear what we say. A ship that is
seaworthy can carry others across the waters. We need to be
able to help others to combat the fierce waves as they batter
the storms of life, and then become "a shelter from the
storm, a shade from the heat" for them (Isaiah 25:4).
"They that go down to the sea in ships ... These see
the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep" (Psalms
107:23-24). If you want to see the works of the Lord in your
life, "launch out into the deep" (Luke 5:4). "They
that go... these see ..." Where? "... in the deep."
Those who cling to the shoreline, to their place of security,
cannot see the fullness of His power in their lives. Yes,
there will be tests; the storms will come. But it is in the
storm that "His wonders" are made manifest. It is
there that we will see the power of God, as He speaks, "Peace,
be still" (Mark 4:39).
Haul in the anchor. Prepare the sails. Allow the wind of
the Spirit to carry you where He wills: away from the place
of your mooring. Set your eyes on the horizon.
Ships are built in harbor, but they are made to sail the
seas.