My wife and I just returned from a wonderful 8-day cruise to the Caribbean. The weather was beautiful; and the scenery was unbelievable. We met some wonderful people during the cruise as well, but unfortunately, it’s back to reality now.
During the cruise, we decided we wanted to do something different; something that we wouldn’t or couldn’t do at home. Being the adventurous souls we are (just kidding), we decided that we wanted to sail on a real sail boat and then go snorkeling. I was a little skiddish about the snorkeling. I hadn’t done that since I was a child and certainly had never snorkeled in the ocean, so I was excited, but nervous at the same time.
We left the cruise ship and arrived at the dock to board the sailboat. Once we boarded the sailboat, but before we set sail, the Captain explained to everyone where we were going; what we would be doing; and reviewed all the safety requirements. After a few moments, it was off we sailed for about an hour to a secluded cove. We then donned our life jackets; our swim fins; our masks, and jumped in the water (after much hesitation and encouragement from others). Once we were in the water, we were allowed an hour to swim around and explore the beauty beneath the surface. Words can’t describe the beauty of the coral and it’s many colors and the beauty of the many fish swimming around. It was actually peaceful and refreshing. Suddenly, I wasn’t nervous or apprehensive anymore. It seemed like the hour in the water flew by and, before we knew it, it was back to the sailboat for the trip back to the cruise ship.
This entire journey into the world of sailing and snorkeling reminded me of my own journey of faith, and perhaps yours too. It brought home the reality of what I must be doing each and every day as I walk by faith:
- We must have a God-given goal or vision. Just as the Captain of the sailboat told us where we would be going; what we would be doing; and told us how to be safe during our journey, the Lord does the same for us. The Lord gives us the goal or vision for our lives. We just have to trust and follow. I knew nothing about snorkeling or sailing and was totally living by faith on every word the Captain said. I had no choice but to believe and trust him for my safety. We should be no different in our Christian lives.
- We must enjoy the journey along the way. Sometimes, the journey is longer than we want or think it should be. We know where we want to go and where the Lord is leading, it just seems like we never get there. I would encourage you to stay focused on the goal and stay persistent and determined and you will reach the goal God has for your life. It seemed like an eternity before we reached our snorkeling destination, but the journey was worth it in the end. Had we given up, or cut the trip short, we wouldn’t have experienced the joy at the end of the trip.
- Sometimes, we must jump in the water. We can have all the goals we want. We can have all the God-given direction we want. But, sometimes we just have to “jump in the water ” by faith and get wet. From the deck of the sailboat, all I could see was the vastness of the blue water. Once I jumped in the water and saw the view below, the beauty was breathtaking. Even though I listened to the Captain; knew our destination; and enjoyed our journey, I would have never witnessed the underwater world that I did had I not actually jumped in the water. I would have robbed myself of the final victory had I not taken the plunge.
Where are you in your walk of faith? Do you have a God-given vision? If so, are you “sailing” along toward that goal and enjoying the journey, or are you close to giving up? Or, are you like me on occasion and you just need to take that step of faith and “jump in the water?” I promise you that the view is something that you will never forget.
