Boatrocker

You think I’ve rocked the boat up till now? Just wait. Before now, I was doing everything I could to hold it still. If I breathed wrong I felt bad and apologized. I wanted you to be happy with the equilibrium of the vessel.

There were times I wanted to stand up and see the view. You saw it. The others on board did too. But I sat still. Maybe it is not something you required of me. But it is something I felt required to do. Nowadays I am running to the edge to peer over, and people are noticing. I know you want me to be still, but just wait. It’s gonna get worse.

You see I’ve been noticing some good things coming from what I’ve been doing lately. For one, I am getting to see a lot that I had missed. I can breathe the salt air. I like the “free” feeling of the wind running over my hair and skin. I like being able to see more than just the deck of the boat of life I’m on. There’s more out there than I knew.

But that’s only a side benefit. Daring to venture up from the plank floor and over to the side was the best thing I ever did because it showed me I could be all right even if I wasn’t in control. When I stood the boat tossed. I was afraid. But I was okay. The dread that had accumulated in my heavy heart over many years of terrified crouching dissolved into the past. My fear melted away. My fear of being seasick. My fear of falling over. My fear of disappointing you.

And I’m brought to mind of another great boat rocker. Remember the story of Jonah? God rocked the boat he was on. And when he did, the others on board noticed. The one running from God was thrown over. The boat rocking acted kind of as a purge. If God hadn’t rocked it, Jonah would not have repented and the others on board wouldn’t have seen the power of God.

And you know what? It may seem like it’s me rocking your world. But is not really me. I don’t have that kind of control. So...

Hold on. I know it’s rough. I know it’s scary. I can’t hold it still. You’re gonna have to do you’re own holding on. And if you are bound and determined to sail on a steady boat, you can even try your hand at holding it still a while. But I’m not gonna sit down.

Besides, unless you’re running away to Joppa, you’ll probably make it through.