Journey on the Waters

He set out to sail across the ocean, something that was always on his bucket list. Taking the time to get all his gear ready, he felt he was well prepared for anything that would come his way. He was excited, and very confident that he had things under control.

 

A week went on, and all was well. The sun was shining, the waves were calm, and he was on top of his world. Nothing was going to stop him. Except... there was a hurricane brewing in his path, but he wasn't aware of it. He never thought to check his radio, as everything looked good on the horizon.

 

A coast guard ship spotted him, and  approached his boat. They warned him that trouble was coming his way, and he should turn back. He told them thanks, but he was content with his chosen path. That he would take it as it came. Reluctantly, they left.

 

Several nights later, he woke up to realize the waves were getting rough, tossing him around. Never before had he experienced such turbulence, and he started to get concerned. He looked out to find it raining pellets, and the wind was so strong he couldn't bear to be exposed to it. His mast was breaking. So he closed the door to his small cabin and waited it out.

 

Reaching for his radio, he turned it on.... but there was no signal. The batteries had died. It had been awhile since he last used it since all had been calm.

 

Then, he remembered. The coast guard had warned him that trouble was ahead of him. And he had ignored it. Because of his own pride, and ignorance by trusting his own sources, he was about to enter the storm of his life, and maybe his last storm.

 

Quite a story, you may think. But this can be a true life story of our lives if we don't heed the warnings of others. The Bible tells us in Matthew 24 of things to come in the last days. What people will be like, what the world will be experiencing, and what storms will be brewing. Some people will be scoffers of this as their sources proclaim peace and love. All is well. They don't want to concern themselves with preparing for very rough days in this world because it takes too much energy and frightens them. After all, their lives are going well, just the way they want it. They'll worry about those things another day. People who know the Bible and truly care for them will be warning them to be watchful. But their warnings will be ignored. To their peril.

 

How about you? Are you a follower of Jesus Christ and heeding the warnings in the Scriptures as to what will be going on in this world soon?  Or are you relying on the wrong sources? The Bible tells us that there are some who build their houses on sand, and others build their houses on the rock.

Jesus said, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house. Yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn't put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house. And it fell with a great crash. - Matthew 7:24-27

When the storms blow, the houses on the sand crash, but the houses on the rock stay strong. Are you building your belief system on what the world says, or are you building your life on the true Rock, Jesus Christ? Are you acknowledging the wisdom that comes from the Scriptures that reveals the true "weather forecast" of the days ahead?

 

God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) He doesn't want anyone to perish. That's why He gave us His Word in the Bible to prepare us.

 

We still have the time to prepare. And how do we make sure we are? By placing our trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He is the rock that nothing can destroy. Someday, when we least expect it, will be the storm of storms. Sudden destruction will come upon those who choose their own ways. The storm that is talked about in the Bible. While there is time, make sure you have your house built on the rock... the Rock of Jesus. When we find ourselves surrounded by storms, inside there will be the peace that comes from Jesus.

Are you prepared?