Set Sail for Christ

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Have you ever tried to set sail – to step out to do something new – only to find out that something was keeping you anchored in place? Many things keep us anchored.

Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters is a series of short biographical poems about the people who lived in the fictional town, Spoon River.  One of the characters, George Gray, looks back over his life and compares it to “a boat with a furled sail at rest in a harbor.”  George was offered many opportunities and was hungry to find meaning in his life. He knew he should have left the harbor and set sail in order to fully experience life. However, George was afraid. He feared becoming disillusioned, and he dreaded taking chances. So…George never set sail.  He longed for the sea yet was afraid.

Let’s contrast George Gray with Simon Peter, also a man with a boat. Like his father and brother Andrew, Simon Peter was a fisherman by trade, working on the Lake of Galilee, a really large lake with about 30 fishing towns surround it.  Peter knew fish, he knew boating, he knew about nets and he knew about navigating the waters. Peter knew his passion and used his skill well. He learned his skill, he practiced it. He became good at it. Peter realized what he was good at doing and set sail. 

Are you more like George Gray…fearful to set out in faith and use your gifts and talents for Christ? Or are you like Simon Peter….stepping out in faith using your gifts and talents for Christ?

In the 10 minute audio below I teach 6 lessons that we learn from Simon Peter that will help us set sail for Christ.

Lesson #1: Peter set sail.

Lesson #2:   Peter followed Jesus.

Lesson #3 – Peter let Jesus use him and his tools.

Lesson #4: Peter was all in for Jesus.

Lesson #5 – Peter trusted Jesus in the storm

Lesson #6:  Peter faced his fear and walked on water for Christ

Audio - Set Sail for Christ

Setting Sail

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters is a series of short biographical poems about the people who lived in the fictional town Spoon River. One of the characters, George Gray, looks back over his life and compares it to “a boat with a furled sail at rest in a harbor.” George was offered many opportunities during his lifetime and was hungry to find meaning in life. In reflecting, he knew he should have left the harbor and set sail in order to fully experience life. However, George was afraid. He feared becoming disillusioned, and he dreaded taking chances. So…George never set sail. He longed for the sea yet was afraid.

George Gray’s life describes the life of many Christians. Let’s imagine that we too are like ships in the harbor. What are the destinations, the opportunities, that Christ has for us to explore? In what ways does he want to use our spiritual gifts, our skills, and our passions? Are we sitting in the harbor or have we set sail?

You might consider these questions –

What is the next step in my spiritual growth?
What area of service or study or support should I consider?
What is preventing me from "setting sail?"
What do I need to do in order to “launch?”

After a short time in the harbor reflecting the direction God would have us go, we must then set sail. Often this means we will feel like George, afraid of taking chances and afraid of becoming disillusioned. However, we should always remember that a ship must be in motion to be guided. How can God guide a ship that stays in a harbor and never sets sail?

In our spiritual walk, we must set sail. We must be in motion. Then we should look to our Captain to guide us. He is waiting for us to leave the harbor.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

To view the poem, "George Gray," click here http://spoonriveranthology.net/spoon/river/view/George_Gray

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