I read a quote today that got me thinking again about something that's been on my heart a lot lately... the quote was this:
"Ships in harbour are safe but that's not what ships are built for."-John Shedd
The truth in this statement is profound. I've found myself processing (for many reasons) what we're called to be in this life. Most of us have about 80 years on this earth to do something with our lives. Some chase their tails looking for the next dollar or next toy. Others pursue fame or credit, something that makes them stand out in the long run. The mentality of the day is that since we're only here for a short time as one of billions of people, and no one will remember us in a few years anyway, why not live it up... all for me, while i can enjoy it. Makes sense to me from a purely anthropological standpoint, after all, only the strong survive... right!
Some of us however, have been blessed with a curse. The feeling that we were built for something more. I believe that this calling comes from God and is a direct result of a spiritual reality. The Bible tells us that we've been created to be in communion with God, and He himself provided the way to redeem us from our sin to make that possible. In accepting that reality for our lives, however, something in the very essence of who we are changes. We are no longer free to do the life of frivolity and self-indulgence, rather, we've been "bought with a price" and are now dead to our authority in our lives. The one who's paid this cost is Jesus Christ, and we're now to be about the things He's laid before us.
The problem is that far too many of us drop our anchor's in the shallow waters of the safe harbors. Content just to be in the sea of life, but not really wanting to venture out into the waves. "It might be scary out there," we tell ourselves... the "what if's" begin to swirl in our minds. So we sit with barnacles attaching themselves to us as we slowly take on water, sink and rot.
We are created for something more. We are created to live life on the adventure of the open sea. It is there where our spiritual sails get filled and the strength of our hull gets tested. We are not created to be safe, but rather to be sent. Out into a dark, lonely and hurting world. Our cargo is simply the enduring word of God (the true harbor in any storm). We are propelled on the winds of the Spirit and guided by the Truth of Jesus Christ.
Another sea faring illustration was once taught me by a wise professor, he said something to this effect. The church is like a ship. At one time it rode the front of every wave of culture, it forged the way in art and music. The Word of God spread... but over time we've let the wind out of our sails and we've been trying to years to play catch-up. A decade or more behind the trend of culture, irrelevant and outdated. It takes far more effort and work to catch up to a wave than it does to ride it.
As the body of Christ we are to be forging the way. Setting the tone for the culture, not reacting to it all the time. Far too often however, we've found our little safe harbors tucked away from the reality of peoples struggles in order to "be holy." God has already made us HOLY, and called us to live like that in a world that knows nothing of it.
My prayer is that my life will move out into the open waters, forge the way, and find God's faithfulness waiting under vast skies. It's time to pull up anchor.
Adventure awaits!
Just some thoughts... if you want to talk more about any of this email me at philbenner@gmail.com
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