As ships at sea rolling toward a faraway destination, we’re also mysteriously anchored to God’s promises and ultimately to each other in a network of tethers: generosity, sacrifice, service, and love.
On clear days when His Spirit’s straight winds sweep us onward, we climb the masts of adventure together. Ahoy there, matey! AHOY!
When storms arise, however, we’re white-faced and seasick. We hold on for dear life to that trustworthy anchor rope (hope) while sailor-friends (kindred spirits) come alongside with encouragement. They know, as we do, that suffering is never wasted in God’s economy; that tribulation engenders offspring like patience and experience, and ultimately greater measures of hope.
We who comprise the body of Christ collectively represent our Lord to other loner sea craft as they pace restlessly from port to port to port. Could they be looking for some place to belong? Could that place be internal (heart-level) rather than external? What can we (those tethered together in faith) offer, and how? What do those loner “mateys” recognize in us? Do they see unique ships freely sailing the high seas of fulfillment, trusting the Holy Spirit’s breath to steer them as they should go and the Lord’s anchor to hold them steady? Do they see Titanics pretending to be invincible, or downsized little rowboats paddling around in the protected coves that play it safe and don’t really trust the Captain at all?
I think this analogy touches on the root of hypocrisy. If we truly ARE His own, if we accept His radical generosity and give all of ourselves in return, we will end up trusting Him for grace to live beyond our own abilities and even our dreams. We’ll become new creatures who take risks, endure hardships, and achieve feats we would never have thought possible. If not, our pretense will show in the way we masquerade as wise and powerful - or else the way we cower to our own smallness.
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