Heidi Baker came to our church this past weekend and told a story. God impressed Heidi to purchase a boat in order to journey to nearby Islands to share Jesus with them. She obeyed, as she usually does, only to find herself and her team shipwrecked in the middle of the Indian Ocean. "God told me to buy a boat, and it sunk" she said. Minus their boat, that night they were attacked by a hoarde of African fire ants. Next day, hungry, tired, and boatless, they stood on the Island worshipping and thanking God for his provision. From there things only grew worse. They decided to stike out in a raft and promptly began to sink, at which time a man with a boat covered in poop rescued them. Their relief was momentary, however, because shortly after getting into the boat, the motor blew out. They were finally rescued by six naked Muslim fishermen who hoisted the sails and sailed home to safety.
As it turns out, all six men gave their lives to Christ. Heidi and her team witnessed the purpose of the shipwreck. A beautiful shipwreck. Despite the hunger, ant bites, fear, and delayed plans, men came to Christ. And while every boat that tried to rescue them ended up either sinking or blowing out the motor, it took the sails catching the "wind of the Spirit" to get them home safely. This story really ministered to me. Like Heidi, I feel like I am sinking in the "poop boat". And like Heidi, I have to hoist my sails and catch the wind of the Spirit to sail to safety. I must worship the Lord, looking only to him in the midst of less than ideal circumstances. I will not doubt. I will not jump ship, or run off with the circus. Like the Mozambican team, I will look to the Lord for deliverance in the fullness of time.
It is the seed planted in the soil of a believing, perservering heart that endures many fires, offenses, worries, pleasures, and cares that in time will bear fruit. I think too of the fullness of time. So much in the testing of our faith comes down to this: will I give God the time that he desires to fulfill his promises? Over and over scripture illustrates the testing of time: faith in God enduring and stretching out over the long days, months, and even years. Will we give God time to fulfill his "good word" (Jer 11:27)? Will we allow time for the fiery trial to bring out the pure, solid gold that God is seeking?
At the end Jesus proclaimed, "It is Finished". But he waited 30 years before starting his messianic ministry, quiet, unkown, living day to day as anyone else. Normal. Common. Time passed with nothing remarkable happening. Then he was greatly tested as he finally began his ministsry. He endured being called a demoniciac, a blasphemer. He did not retailiate or call down fire from heaven! He could have vainly performed miracles to vindicate his name, or for the sheer vanity of working a miracle. I will show you blashpemers just who I AM! But no. Instead, he committed himself to his father and only did and said those things that God directed him to do. He endured suffering, afflication, and betrayal. He perfectly obeyed the Father.
Something had been accomplished through his persevering obedience. Time was required. Hard time. I want to be able to say, with the Lord, "it is finished." But I confess to you, I am weak. I fear my own weakness and am confident that I would wither away if not for my faith in the One who keeps my soul. He must keep my soul, for I cannot. I draw such strength from Jesus's words to his disciples after many left them due to his hard sayings. "With man it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible!" With God, I can do all things! I can view this current shipwreck as a failure, or a tragedy, or I can say, "Lord, be it unto me according to your word." Some shipwrecks work out beautifully.
As it turns out, all six men gave their lives to Christ. Heidi and her team witnessed the purpose of the shipwreck. A beautiful shipwreck. Despite the hunger, ant bites, fear, and delayed plans, men came to Christ. And while every boat that tried to rescue them ended up either sinking or blowing out the motor, it took the sails catching the "wind of the Spirit" to get them home safely. This story really ministered to me. Like Heidi, I feel like I am sinking in the "poop boat". And like Heidi, I have to hoist my sails and catch the wind of the Spirit to sail to safety. I must worship the Lord, looking only to him in the midst of less than ideal circumstances. I will not doubt. I will not jump ship, or run off with the circus. Like the Mozambican team, I will look to the Lord for deliverance in the fullness of time.
It is the seed planted in the soil of a believing, perservering heart that endures many fires, offenses, worries, pleasures, and cares that in time will bear fruit. I think too of the fullness of time. So much in the testing of our faith comes down to this: will I give God the time that he desires to fulfill his promises? Over and over scripture illustrates the testing of time: faith in God enduring and stretching out over the long days, months, and even years. Will we give God time to fulfill his "good word" (Jer 11:27)? Will we allow time for the fiery trial to bring out the pure, solid gold that God is seeking?
At the end Jesus proclaimed, "It is Finished". But he waited 30 years before starting his messianic ministry, quiet, unkown, living day to day as anyone else. Normal. Common. Time passed with nothing remarkable happening. Then he was greatly tested as he finally began his ministsry. He endured being called a demoniciac, a blasphemer. He did not retailiate or call down fire from heaven! He could have vainly performed miracles to vindicate his name, or for the sheer vanity of working a miracle. I will show you blashpemers just who I AM! But no. Instead, he committed himself to his father and only did and said those things that God directed him to do. He endured suffering, afflication, and betrayal. He perfectly obeyed the Father.
Something had been accomplished through his persevering obedience. Time was required. Hard time. I want to be able to say, with the Lord, "it is finished." But I confess to you, I am weak. I fear my own weakness and am confident that I would wither away if not for my faith in the One who keeps my soul. He must keep my soul, for I cannot. I draw such strength from Jesus's words to his disciples after many left them due to his hard sayings. "With man it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible!" With God, I can do all things! I can view this current shipwreck as a failure, or a tragedy, or I can say, "Lord, be it unto me according to your word." Some shipwrecks work out beautifully.
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