Boat Mates

I have this wonderful client that is struggling, well really wrestling with the whole faith thing. Like many of us it has to do with letting go of control. If you have always been disappointed and never could count on anyone but yourself how do you trust a unseen God? Crazy I say!

He described it as if he were asked to get on a sailboat (he doesn’t know how to sail) and sent out into the ocean to sail across the sea alone and just trust that he would be okay to get to the other side. Fear, doubt and thoughts of disappointment fill his eyes. What if God doesn’t show up to Captain the boat, navigate the way, calm the storms, comfort the child? What then? Hopes gone and nothing worse than no hope.

There are so many of us that are scared to step in the boat much less leave the dock.  As we sat there I looked in his eyes and said “What if I get in the boat with you?” He ponders for a minute then asks,” Do you know how to sail?” I responded “You don’t know if I can or can’t, but I am willing to get in the boat and go with you.”

Perplexed he just looked at me. Yes, I will have faith for the both of us. I will go with you so that you are not alone, for I am certain that my God always meets me right where I am. Whether out on scary open waters that are uncertain or safe on a sunny calm beach, my God shows up. I believe that we are called to be boat mates for those in our lives that just can’t seem to leave the docks and get into the boat. To go with them and when the fear of the unseen faith is too much for them to handle, may they see our faith and through it see the face of God. May our faith be strong enough to fill in the faith gaps of those we love when needed, and sustain us as we travel together to get to the other side. And no matter if He calms the storm or calms the child at least we know that we are safe in the boat and that the breath of God is in our sails guiding our way. Sail on, and may peace be with you…….