Grace Like an Ocean

In beginning the second semester of my Sophomore year of college, I had no idea what to expect, but realized that I was spiritually dry.  With God weaving in periods of dark trials and challenges with beautiful conversations, intentional people, and faithful pursuit He gave me the story of the life of a boat.  As I pictured a boat out at sea, He began piecing the story together through the different events happening in my life, forming one analogy after another.  The poem below depicts God's children as living vessels or boats.  The Captain being none other than our Savior.

As the semester is coming to a close, I can look at this poem and verify its meaning.  In times of uncharted territory and loss of control, the door is opened to the overwhelming waves of God's grace and love.  It was in those periods where I could feel the loving arms of my Father hold me. I learned to embrace the storms and adventures with arms wide open, trusting in the faithfulness of God.  Instead of seeing just the dark threads of conflict, bad results, and time of uncertainty, I also saw the brightly colored threads in the promises of His Word, friendships, and growth as well, creating a beautiful masterpiece. Praise Him!

 Grace Like an Ocean                

       Inspired by God, Written by His beloved daughter

 Along the painted coastline is a harbor. A harbor of life. Who are we but desolate sailboats in the wind. Constructed of boards that have long been rotten. But nonetheless vessels for their Captain who takes pride in His handiwork. For we are mere vessels for His purpose, surrendered to His promises.

The Captain is but the wind and the waves, giving life and purpose to an ever broken ship. You are the gentle breeze that catches the sails, the refreshing and misty ocean air that fills the boat’s nostrils and your breathe of wind fills the masts, pumping life into the otherwise dead vessel, reminding the ship of its calling. 

For the ship is consumed with an eternal purpose, possessing characteristics for a predestined plan and will.  Something that has been chartered and designed before time.  As the sunrises and sets, with radiant colors streaking across the skyline, the boat is reminded of the promises and majesty of the Painter, realizing that that same Painter is her Captain.

As the Captain brings each boat to sea, the realization of the boat’s imperfections and brokenness is exposed.  There is no longer security of the docks or consistency of scenery. 

As night turns into day, dark, ominous clouds begin to billow, rain crashes down, and the overbearing force of the wind send the boat into unknown territory.

 Every lashing of the waves sends the boat back into its violent motion. The waves threaten to capsize, appearing to drown the vessel’s only hopes.  The massive sails reseed in fear. The anchor of doubt and fear is released. The wooden ship prays it comes through in one piece. But as debris bobs in the water realizes that in the middle of the storm the weakest structures are exploited and destroyed giving way to areas of improved structures.

The cries of the wood as it creaks under the pressure of the water and wind can be heard over the storm.  At every turn the boat tries to resist being overcome and taken prisoner of the mighty sea.  The boat strains and pulls, weighed down by its anchor.

But in the midst of chaos a voice in the wind calls to the boat to let her sails down and once again receives the wind as a source of life.  The giant waves that once seemed terrifying and unwelcomed, brought peace and comfort.  Refreshing the boat with its consistent rocking. 

Surrounded by open waters, the boat realizes that life out at sea provides many chances for her to fail, to face challenges, and experience adventure, but yet regardless of the outcome of such things will be washed by the grace that fills the ocean.  When looking back at the storms, the threatening waves were not meant to crash the boat, but to overwhelm the boat with His presence and grace.  For if grace is an ocean, we are all sinking.

When repairs need to be made and supplies needed, the ship sets for the safety of the harbor that the Wind has designed it for.  A checkpoint, one of the many wills of the boat planned by her Captain.  However, the harbor can be an intimidating place with foreign boats, and new environments.  The boat approaches timidly and decides to spend the night in the cove, hoping that the harbor will move. As the night unfolds and reveals the beauty of the sunrise, the ship realizes that not only did the harbor not move, but that it doesn’t drag the will of the Creator to her will, but rather she drags herself to His will, trusting that the Captain has traveled to every port and every land, preparing her with the perfect storms for such a place as this.  As she sails into the unfamiliar haven, her open sails that flap in the wind speak of surrender, her enriched structures patched after storms display the loving hand of her Captain, reflecting for all to see His works.

This is the calling that the Captain asks every boat and the promises that He so graciously extends to His masterpieces. Because that is what every vessel is for He never makes anything less.

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So…who is your creator? Who is the anchor to your soul?

Open your sails and trust your anchor, clothe yourself in strength and dignity, laughing without fear of the future.