Vision: Ships and Boats

Vision: Ships and Boats

22^nd July 2018

I saw large ships fishing not too far off from the shore-line.

Those in nearby small boats were told to deliver a message to these huge ships.

The message was , “ Venture out”.

So those seated in small boats obeyed and rowed to the ships and delivered the word.

None in the ships were interested in venturing out. They felt comfortable and safe nearest to the shore. Venturing out meant taking risks.

Neither the captains, nor the crew nor the tourists on board these ships were interested in taking chances.

So the men and women sat in those small boats cried out, “Lord, these ships don’t want to budge from where they are. They refuse to venture out. They won’t go.”

And they all heard very clearly from the Lord, “ So you venture out. You go.”

Those sat in the boats were stunned. Their boats were small, and each vessel carried just a few, and they were ill-equipped to ‘venture out’. They glanced at themselves, their boats, the vast ocean ahead, but quickly turned their gaze upward, and said,” Yes Lord”, and immediately ventured out.

When these small boats reached the middle of the ocean they saw that afloat to their right were large brand new  fishing boats.

The boat men and women spoke to the few who were on board these fishing vessels and were informed that  many miles away was a sparsely populated island.

A few inhabitants, had heard from the Lord, to build large fishing boats. The islanders knew how to fish by primitive methods, but had never seen a big catch of fish as none had ever ventured out into the ocean as they had no fishing vessels, nor the knowledge on how to fish from boats.

Howbeit, these few islanders were obedient. They built the large fishing boats as per the specifications, and launched them into the sea with just one or two on board each vessel, believing that these vessels would return to their island with a large catch of fish, though at present they knew not how that would be accomplished.

Now those in the small boats were expert fishermen and they were amazed at what they saw and heard.

Most in the small boats knew that they were to board the fishing vessels and teach the crew to fish. All the small boats carried many fishing nets of their own, which they now transferred to the vessels.

There was much celebration in the middle of the ocean. All praised God and marveled at His ways.

Whilst most boatmen and women joined the fishing vessels, a few did not.

These few had heard from the Lord that whilst it was His will that the others board the fishing vessels, they themselves were not to.

So they gave away their fishing nets, and bid goodbye to the rest and prayed, “ Lord where do we go now?”

“ Into uncharted waters”, came the Reply.

This was the time when much would be accomplished by the small and few,just because they were obedient.

These obedient small and few would be willing to risk all, unlike the big and many, who refused to venture out, and preferred to remain nearest to the shore, and to converge with other ships and play it safe.

Swarna Jha

Bombay-India

Psalm 60:12

12 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Proverbs 4: 5-13

5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.