All Aboard!

Luxurious 40 foot cruiser complete with a large, comfortable deck for lounging in the sun, well –appointed living quarters, and all the comforts of home from satellite television to hot showers. This was just one of the boats we saw on a recent family vacation to the coast.

Instead of a house or condo on the beach, we opted for a house on the river that flows into the bay. The scenery was much different – green, lush and almost tropical as opposed to wide open beaches and crashing waves. We explored the river and came face to face with boats that ranged from canoes to yachts. There was something for everyone – my husband loved the bass boats but I fell for the lavish cruisers.

I could just see myself on the deck of those big boats --big, floppy hat, iced down Diet Coke at my side and a good book in my hand. When I shared my love of the cruiser with my husband he glanced at it and said “too fancy, you can’t fish from that.” Fishing? Who said anything about fishing? My dream consisted of lots of lounging, reading and resting.

There were other boats on the waterways – the snazzy bass boats with their rumbling outboard motors that enticed my hubby, high speed ski boats, pontoon boats and then there are the ones I call the working boats. These working boats were as big as or bigger than the fancy cruisers, but that’s where the similarities ended. These boats were made for work. The decks were filled with all manner of equipment, most didn’t make any sense to me, but I understood the nets and they had big nets for dragging in lots of something. I didn’t daydream myself on the deck of these boats. I didn’t want to think about working that hard and getting my hands that dirty.

I want to live the Christian life of the luxury cruiser. I want to rest on my deck and sip my drink; I don’t want to get my hands dirty. I don’t want to sling the nets out or pull them back in. I’m afraid to face the storms that will surely come. I don’t want to work for hours on top of hours only to come up empty handed. Give me the luxury boat with satellite and I’ll just relax in the cabin when the weather is bad or the sun gets too hot.

Oh Lord, forgive me for wanting the comfortable life. I wasn’t called to that. I was called to get my hands dirty. God called me to serve Him. I’m just to say yes, He’ll provide the details.

As Paul said to the church at Thessalonica:

“ we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” 1 Thess 2:12

Walk worthy of God. That will stop you right in your tracks. How do I walk worthy of the Holy God? The God who created the heavens and the earth – how do I walk worthy of Him?

We walk worthy of Him through the power of Jesus Christ. It’s in Christ that we each find our strength to do the work that He has called us to do. It’s in Christ that I stand. It’s in His grace I find my strength. It’s in His Word I find my direction.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil 1:6

God calls all of His children to His service and there will be storms, but He will provide. There will be work, but He will equip. There will be hard times, but He provides all of our needs.

God may be calling you to serve on the luxury cruiser or He may be calling you to serve on the working ship, but know this, He is calling you to serve His Kingdom.

Where is God calling you today?


In Him,





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Mary Snyder was a featured speaker at A Woman Inspired Ministry Online Conference!! Join us at A Woman Inspired to purchase the entire Ministry Online Conference in an mp3 collection!