Sinking the Ship

Someone once said, "The water outside the ship may toss it, but it is the water in the ship that sinks it." We live in a world that attempts to crush our faith at every turn. Those circumstances that attempt to destroy us are like the water outside the ship; they may toss us, but they can't sink us. It is only when we allow the events of life to become our way of thinking, speaking, and acting that we are in danger of sinking. 1 John 2:16 says: For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (KJV) The world has lust and pride as its steady diet. Our food should be the Word of God. As we think, speak, and act on the Word of God, our ship will never sink.

We may be in the world, but we are not of the world. Our citizenship is in heaven and we have already been seated with Yeshua (Jesus). He is the unseen guest at every conversation and meal. He hears all we say. He silently sits observing all we do and say. If we could remember that fact, how might it change us? We need to live lives of faith that include Yeshua at every step. He said He would never leave or or forsake us, yet how many live their lives as if He was not present? Every moment, every hour, every day, should be lived in His presence. The world can not stop us unless we invite it into our lives and crowd out His presence.

Let us protect our ship. We guard it by keeping the influences of the world outside, where they belong. We are to be holy vessels of faith that think, speak, and act on the Word of God. As we do so, we will sail through this life in preparation for the future one. However, don't so focus on the future that you ignore the present. God intends us to live for Him now, in this lustful and prideful world. That is when He can show us off to the unbelieving ones. That is our true purpose: to sail our ship victoriously.