POLISHING THE YACHT
When Joan and I had Emmanuel constructed in Ft. Meyers in 1990 we’d started a project that would take us through many ups and downs. An all fiberglass Catamaran was new to our business. All the other vessels had been carefully made from wood. Fiberglass offers many advantages over wood, and if you look about you’ll see nearly all new craft are made from it.
This project placed us “over a barrel”. It was very expensive and the bank was going to make sure they were covered when they gave us a loan. Our home which was paid for, bless the Lord, was the first thing we had to place in jeopardy. Then we had to make some serious promises based upon some business criteria projections. The builder was not really into building a vessel I wanted but one he knew would be more “cost effective”. In other words, he wanted to make himself more profit from the deal. This created a constant pressure on me and I made 18 trips from Destin to keep an eye on our new fishing vessel. This amounted to 18,000 miles just back and forth.
Before it was over we had spent our savings too. We were totally at the Lord’s mercy which I didn’t mind since He had given me the name on the way down on the fifth trip. Emmanuel means God with us! Allow me to say He is and always will be for He’s very faithful. If you are in the midst of a project submit it to Him and as He says in Proverbs, “Commit your way unto the Lord and it shall be established.“ I know He’s saying this to all born again Christians for at our new birth we became His child. Please make sure you’ve experienced the new birth today, if you haven’t already.
When we were nearing completion the project manager had a worker polish the fiberglass for days on end. His labor sealed the glass as well as bringing it to a shiny brightness, one he wanted when we sailed away to Destin.
Jesus used parables while teaching and while at the gym this morning I believe He gave me this one for the fisher folk. Consider yourself as a yacht ordered by a very wealthy man. He’s making you unique in every way. The very best equipment is going to be installed along with brand new engines. Nothing will be left out, and when done, you’ll be His prized possession. When He placed the order He had great plans for you. He’s planning to spend some quiet time where the two of you could enjoy each other.
He’s contacted the builder and learned you were nearing completion and by weekend all should be done except for the “sea trials”. He tells the builder He wants to be aboard during the trials. So the plan is for the owner to come in on Wednesday to take possession. The work on the boat was finished on Friday afternoon after many months of careful labor. What do you think the workers will do from Monday to Wednesday? If you say polishing and cleaning every speck of the vessel you’re right on.
Now lets apply this to you. God chose you “to be built”. You didn’t choose Him. He spent the most valuable Thing to purchase you, the Blood of Jesus. He is by His Holy Spirit constructing you for His service and fellowship. His great plans for you are coming to pass. The moment you were “born again” you were built. Now, like the workers who spent a great deal of time polishing and cleaning before the Owner arrives, you’re being dealt with to make you “shine”. When you shine the Lord can reflect His love from your countenance. Have you met Christians that glow? I met a young woman serving in the military yesterday who had His shine, what a blessing!
If God is polishing you, my advice is to never complain for you’re no longer your own but the Lord’s. The Bible tells us we’ve been purchased and are immortals who’ll spend eternity with God in Heaven. Our polishing must occur for we still have some worldly attitudes that hinder the reflection God requires. If you want to get it over with, and we all should, go to your Heavenly Father and ask Him to finish you. Ask Him to give you the desire to complete His labors as revealed in Ephesians 2:10. Change your prayers as much as possible into words of praise, no longer begging God but blessing Him for His faithfulness. Finally, become a witness He can use to bring the lost to the Master yacht builder, the Holy Spirit.
In His Service,
Capt. Ben Marler
captben61@gmail.com
captben61.blogspot.com
Daddy, I really liked this message and the analogy. I remember how it was when you and Mom were building the boat. You put everything into it, just for the joy of doing something worthwhile. You entertained, fed, and trained thousands of people to fish while leading them to Jesus which I knew was your true purpose. You never did it "for the money." It was hard work. I love you and Mom and I know that I will never forget, nor let my children forget, what you did with your lives.
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