Get Out to Sea

The entire process only works if the ships stay on schedule, start their engines, and get back out to sea in order to continue their mission and make room for others to pull in. A ship loaded with provisions that never sets sail is pretty useless.

"The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: 'The harvest is great, but the workers are few.'" (Luke 10:1-2)

One of the beautiful patterns of Jesus' process of equipping his followers is that He would instruct them and then send them out to practice what they learned. He knew that inactive wisdom was as useful as a book sitting on a shelf collecting dust.

Knowledge needs action to be effective.

A docked ship full of provisions doesn't have an impact. The food spoils, the hull rusts, mold grows, and crustaceans take over. Don't let that be you.

It's important to come into the harbor regularly to offload a bunch of waste, things you picked up while out at sea that didn't work, weighed you down, or are no longer useful. To reprovision, soak up God's word, process it according to the journey you are on, learn new skills, and seek advice. To refuel, rest a minute, and fill your tanks for the next trip. To pick up passengers and crew: who are you taking with you, and who do you need on deck to help you with the next phase?

Then you have to go. You were chosen. You are sent to put what talents you have and the wisdom you are gaining to work. Untie the ropes, start the engines, and get out to sea. Don't let your provisions spoil for lack of use. Get out to sea and brave the ocean.