The Ship Has Not Sunk
By Justin March

“This seems like an extraordinary amount of water we are taking on.” These were
the words that filled my head as the waves came crashing upon our boat. As we
glided upon Chatfield Reservoir last weekend, the wakes got a little rough, and
before we could get the boat under control, water started to fill our vessel. I
will admit I got a little spooked, but I prayed and asked God to carry us to
safer ground.

As the engine shut down and the boat struggled, we knew we had taken on too
much water. So, we ventured across the lake at 5mph, with the engine trouble
indicator flashing, until we finally hit the docks and could pull the boat out
of the water. I was worried about the damage the boat may have incurred, and as
I watched the water pour out, gallon after gallon, I did not get a fuzzy
feeling about the entire situation.

I prayed and prayed that the damage was minimal all week. But, after the owner
took the boat out again to see if it was back to normal, it died, and he was
stranded. The vessel had to be towed back to the docks, loaded up on the
trailer, and sent to the garage for some diagnostic testing. Luckily, all it
needed was a new sensor that most likely had fried from taking on too much
water.

Sometimes, our lives can be overcome with the crashing waves. We feel like we
are sinking, and if we don’t do something to right the ship, we may find
ourselves at the bottom of the lake. Without the constant reading of our
bibles, without the support of our communities, and without the practice of
prayer, our parts wear out and are lives feel “fried” as we try to skim across
the waters of life.

But there is good news! We have a God that can repair the damage this world
inflicts upon us. He can take our parts, refurbish them when they wear out, and
make our lives anew. And He has all the buckets we need to empty out our
vessels when we take on more than we can handle. So, do not fret and do not
worry. Face the storms and battle each crashing wave. With God by your side, he
will empty your vessel of everything that threatens to make you sink, and
before you know it, you are back to shore and safe in His everlasting arms!