Don't Miss the Boat (of Salvation)

There was once a man who was stranded at home during a flood.  As the waters rose, he assured himself that Jesus would save him.  Just then, a boat came by and asked if he needed help and the man answered, “No, I’m waiting for someone else to come get me.”  The waters continued to rise when another boat came by and asked if he needed help and again he answered, “No thank you, I’m waiting for someone else to come get me.”  A little while later, a third boat came by and pleaded with him to get in, seeing that the man was already standing on his rooftop with the waters rising quickly and again the man answered, “No, I’m waiting for someone else to come get me.”  Shortly after that, the waters rose above his rooftop and drowned him. 

Feeling that he had been left to die, the man angrily stomped passed the pearly gates, straight to Jesus and said, “Where were you, I waited for you to come get me and you never showed up.”

Jesus answered, “I sent three boats for you and you never got in.”

Many of us live our lives just as this man did, waiting for the burning bush that Moses encountered or for the thundering voice of God to speak, but that’s not how He typically communicates.  We read in 1 Kings 19:11-13 that God did not speak to Elijah through the violent wind, earthquake or fire, but through a gentle whisper, a still small voice. 

His voice may resonate in the form of a gut feeling or a simple impression upon our hearts or even through our circumstances.  Whichever manner God chooses to communicate with us, know for sure that He is constantly speaking to us, revealing His plan for our lives (without forcing His will upon us). 

We do know that God has a plan for each and every person and the plan is good.  He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

So how do we hear His voice and identify His plans? 

Spend time with Him.  Just as we have to spend time with someone to know that person, we must also spend time with God.  We begin by setting time aside just for Him, opening our Bible, reading what He has to say and meditating on His Word.  Remember, the Word is different than any other book because it is a living word and as you read it, it becomes a live voice in you.  God gave us the Bible so we could know Him.  The Bible is God’s thoughts, God’s words, God’s promises and God’s plans written down on paper for us.

Just ask.  God is faithful to answer us when we turn our hearts toward Him.  He tells us in Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.”  God may not always give us the answer we expect or want, but He is faithful to respond and His solution will always be in our best interest. 

Discern the voice.  Have you ever heard someone say, “God told me this or God told me that”?  It may sound a little silly (especially to an unbeliever) because God’s voice is not audible, but He does speak to us and some of the ways we hear Him are through prayer, an impression in our spirit, instinct or morals, personal circumstances and/or experiences, messages that are preached by others, and by reading His Word.  The enemy, who only comes to kill, steal and destroy, also speaks to us and tries to deceive us about the source of the voice, but know that God’s instruction will NEVER contradict what the Bible says and unlike satan, God will never tempt us with our own fleshly desires and lusts.  He may test us, but He will not tempt us.  Temptation only comes from the devil.

Be obedient.  Obedience is a sign of maturity and just as any parent entrusts his children with more and more as they prove themselves responsible, so does God.  In Matthew 25:21, He said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your Master’s happiness!”

God is a good God and has created each of us for a specific purpose that will bless us beyond measure.  He promises this in 1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

So, don’t miss the boat.  Anchor your trust in the Word of God to fulfill the perfect purpose you were created.  Now is the time for God’s will to manifest in your life.  2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.  I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 

Vanessa