Day 2: the Master of the Sea

January 19th, 2013

   Today we are beginning construction officially!I had to roll out of bed and clear a space on the apartment floor to lay out the boards, and since Ryan has work and the others have Saturday plans, I am left here to clean and mark up the wood alone.  And in this time, I have had a few moments to collect my thoughts and I thought I'd share a few of them with you before I go back to cutting the frame.
   Last year, when I was feeling helpless and alone washed out to sea with my little dinghy, a thought occurred to me. I had rushed into something I thought would be an adventure, but did not take the time to prepare the way I should have. I did not count the cost of the expedition. I had no idea what the weather was looking like, what kind of winds we'd have. Why, we were so eager to get out there we didn't even get a proper rudder, and no oars were with us. And because of all this, when things went south, we were left stranded, scared and alone.
   Often times, when in life we are so pumped up to answer the call of Christ, we don't take counting the cost into effect. We get so caught up in emotions, we fail to recognize those areas in which we are failing continually. We rush out to do what we FEEL is a good idea, but when we are not prepared to the storms life throws at us, we can get spiritually shipwrecked. I have had this happen to me many times since that night, so I obviously have not learned my lesson. This boat, and this blog, It has helped me to remember who controls the winds and the waves not only on the sea, but in my life as well

"....These [men] see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep blue ocean. For he commands and raises the mighty, stormy wind, which lifts up the mighty waves. They mount up to the skies, then go down again to the deep sea: [the men's] souls are melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distresses. He causes the storm to calm, so that the waves lie still. They are then glad because the waves be silent; so he brings them unto their desired port. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!...."

( From Psalms 107:24-32)

 
   Let the hands that craft this ship never forget who gave them the skill, the drive, and the blessings to use them. Let them be a sacrificial offering to my Lord, that they always face upwards in peace, servant hood   and praise, rather than clenched in anger and selfishness.
  Hope these have been some encouraging thoughts for you, and I hope I will be able to use this boat, my stories and experiences, my life as an example to other young men stumbling through life needing Jesus to help them as I have needed his help so desperately these last few months.
   Well, it's back to the wood! Hope everyone else has a good day!