Get Your Field Ready!

        Are You

   Getting Rusty?

       “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”—John Shedd

       You weren’t built by God to stay in the harbor your entire life.  He wants you to grow in your abilities and faith.  To experience more miracles.  To see the world around you become better because you become better.

       But all of that can’t happen if you stay in the harbor.  You can’t experience improved health or greater finances or be promoted.  You won’t be able to go to a new level in your spiritual walk.  You have to be willing to come out of the harbor and sail into the path God has for you.

       There’s a story about a beautiful ship that was designed and built centuries ago.  The best wood was used and it was adorned with flags and great sails.  The people of the city were proud of her and had a big celebration to christen the ship.  Everyone cheered.  Then they went home, and the ship remained in the harbor.  The Navy decided since it was such a great ship, they would save it for a very important fight.  It would not launch for the smaller conflicts of war.

       But as time went on, the ship started being forgotten.  It wasn’t taken care of.  So moss began to grow on her.  The anchor chain rusted because it was never out of the water.  The beauty of the ship was gone.

       Then a big war started.  So the Navy decided it was time to launch this important ship.  The enemy was getting near and they needed it to defend the city.  So they sent a crew aboard the ship and began to raise the anchor.  When they did, they found the chain had rusted.  They kept trying and after a while, they were able to get the anchor raised up.

       Then the order was given to hoist the sails.  When they had been raised, they saw holes in the canvas.  The ropes they tried to use had rotted.  But somehow they got the ship to swing around to face the enemy ship that was now coming toward them.  So the first mate gave the command to load the cannons.  The sailors rushed to open the barrels of powder and found it was wet.  They couldn’t use it.

       When everything was reported to the Captain, and he saw how the ship had depreciated, he said, “If we had just used the ship before this, she could serve us well now.”  At that moment, the enemy ship fired six cannons into the port side.  The ship was demolished, and the city it was supposed to guard was overtaken.

       The first time I read this story, that night as I went to bed, thoughts began to come to me.  I wondered if there was any area of my life where I was allowing the chains to rust.  Were the ropes rotting?  Would I wake up one day and find that it was time to launch out in an area and I couldn’t?  My ship wouldn’t sail.

       Like you, I want to see everything God has for me come to pass.  I want to see mountains moved.  Problems conquered.  To accomplish much with the gifts and abilities He’s given me.  I want to be ready for the fight against the enemy when he tries to take over something that belongs to me.  But if I’m not ready to launch when it’s my time, I won’t be able to perform.  My faith won’t be where it needs to be.  My energy.  My spiritual walk with God.

       All those things we need when He says it’s time to launch, if they are not there, we can’t move out and experience what He has for us.  We can’t see His miracle power work for us.  So we have to make sure our chains are not rusting.  Our sails don’t have holes in them.  Our ropes are not rotting.  We’re ready to launch at a moment’s notice.  Oh my!  That’s when the blessings of God can come!  That’s when we can enter into the fullness of everything He has for us.

       Think how the man Peter saw this happen for him.  He was in the harbor with his fishing boat, but Jesus needed to use it to stand in and teach a crowd of people on the shore.  After Peter loaned Him his boat, Jesus said, Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch (Luke 5:4).

       Peter and his fishing partners had just fished all night and caught nothing.  But because Jesus said to launch, he did it.  When they let down their nets, the miracle started.  They did such good business that both boats became swamped because of all the fish in the nets.

       If we don’t stay in the harbor but we keep ourselves ready, that’s when we can see His blessings come and His purposes for us be fulfilled.  So don’t get rusty.  Be ready to launch into all that God has for you.

A Spiritual Powerline to say out loud:

“I'M READY TO LAUNCH!”

  Here is a powerful prayer
              to say out loud:               

      Oh Lord, I don’t want to get rusty!  Help me to stay prepared for all that You have for me.  You have stirred my spirit, and now I ask You to guide me.  I’m ready to experience the blessings and deliverance and accomplishment You have for my life.  In the name of Jesus.  Amen.