What could be more exciting than a voyage to the unknown? Or terrifying.

Down in the harbor sits a ship. A magnificent ship. One like no other. As you stand there and look at it, you are in awe at the sheer size of it. It’s unbelievably huge. As you try to take it all in you see people running around getting ready to board and the crew is busy making preparations for the long voyage. Everything needed for the trip is being loaded and the air is charged with anticipation. There’s so much to do and so little time left before it sails. Watching all the activity from the safety of the dock you start to panic. “What if it sinks? What if, like the Titanic, something goes terribly wrong out there and I drown…. What if this is the wrong boat?” You hastily pull out your ticket and double check, just to be sure. Yep. This is your boat, alright. It has your name on it in big bold letters. Still, you hesitate.

Then a voice speaks to you from nowhere. “You ready to go?” it says. “It’s time to board.”

There’s a decision to be made here. You can stay here on the safety of the shore, or set out to sea. It’s your call.

Slowly, on terrified legs you start walking up the gangway. About midway you stop and look back at the dock. It’s not too late. You could go back. Sure, people might laugh at you, but you’d be on solid ground. You look up at the ship again and take in the excitement and grandeur of it one more time. You’ve been looking forward to this voyage for a long time. You spent every last dime you had for the ticket, believing it was going to be the adventure of a lifetime. It seemed so right at the time. Now you just don’t know.

Again, a voice speaks to you, “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to either board or go back down now. We are getting ready to sail.” As you start to panic, you see others who are going back down and start to follow them. Suddenly, amidst the crowd, you see The Captain of the ship. There’s no mistaking him. He’s dressed all in white with a smile on his face and he greets each person on his way up the gangplank. When he gets to you he stops and puts out his hand. “Here, let me help you with your bag.” he says. “Take my arm and I’ll walk you the rest of the way.” With ease and grace he picks up your bag and begins walking you right on up to the entrance of the ship. There’s no turning back now, you think as he takes you to the woman who is taking tickets. “Our special guest has finally arrived.” he says, “We are free to shove off.” For a second you look around you for the “special guest”, wondering if it’s a famous person, when you realize everyone is looking at you. They are all smiling and clapping, like you were some kind of royalty…. “Wha..?” you stutter. “I’m no one special!” But the Captain just smiles at you, knowingly. “Don’t you know? He says. “This is your ship. We’ve all been waiting for you to get on board.”

As you stand there taking it all in, one thing comes to mind: “How could this possibly be my ship and who are all these people?”

Here’s what you need to know:

Every life is like a ship waiting at the shore. If you’ve ever seen that old t.v show “The Love Boat” you know that every person got on with a dream of some sort and somewhere during the journey they each found what they were looking for. Think of this as your very own episode of “The Life Boat.” You can’t even begin to imagine the kind of adventures that await you - if you just get on board. Every detail has been seen to and everything you could possibly need has already been loaded on that ship. Your dreams are all waiting to come true. There are scores of people who will sail with you and the course has already been mapped out. It would be a shame for you to miss it. Your “Life Boat” was built to sail out into the deepest waters where amazing things have yet to be seen and wonderful adventures have yet to be experienced. Sure, there’s danger. Sure, there will be some rough seas, but if you trust The Captain, he’ll get you there in perfect safety.

The question is: Do you trust Him?

I can only speak from personal experience, and I can tell you that the draw of shore is mighty powerful. I’ve spent my whole life paddling around on an inner tube, looking up at that boat, too afraid to get on. I’ve watched others get on their own boats and sail off, all the while feeling sorry for myself and pulling out my old tattered list of reasons as to why my ship couldn’t sail. Maybe you’ve heard of them.

I’ve made too many mistakes

I don’t have enough money

I’m just not lucky

Other people keep going ahead of me

I’m unloved

I’m unworthy

I’m not talented enough

I’m not strong enough

It’s not my fault

It’ll just sink anyway

This is just my lot in life

I might get hurt.

One day I pulled out my trusty list and realized that it was me who made all those excuses and as long as I kept holding on to them, I’d never leave shore. So, I did something I’ve never done before - I tore up the list and threw it in the water, paddling my little inner tube to shore. While everything in the world was yelling “Go back!” and “You’ll never make it!” I decided I’d had enough sand in my shorts and it was time to get on the boat.

Now, I don’t know where my ship is headed. I don’t have to know. Only The Captain can say for sure, but for the first time in my life, I’m trusting Him. My whole crew is breathing a huge sigh of relief that we’re finally underway and there’s nothing but open sea out ahead. Who know’s where we’ll end up, but one thing is for sure, my ship never would have sailed if I hadn’t got on board. Having someone else steer this ship who knows exactly where we’re going is a whole lot easier than paddling around on a little inner tube all alone, that’s for sure.

Today, maybe you’re like me and you’ve been paddling around your “Life Boat” reciting all the reasons why it’s too dangerous to get on board. You’ve weathered some tough storms right next to shore and can’t imagine what it will be like out there in the deep. You’ve been disappointed and discouraged so many times it’s hard to believe your life could ever be more than it is right now. That’s okay. You’re not alone. There are lots of people floating out there on those little inner tubes with you. They’re everywhere.

But, just for a moment today, why not dare to imagine something better. See your “Life Boat” in all it’s glory, setting sail to parts unknown. It’s already got everything on it you’ll need. See all the people waiting for you. Sure, there’ll be storms. Sure, there will be rough seas. Yes, some passengers will get on your nerves, but no matter what, you’ll have lived the adventure, instead of just reading about it and who knows - maybe somewhere out there you’ll see me.

I’ll be the one waving my shorts.

The Captain is calling your name now. It’s okay -You can trust Him. Take it from a former paddler – don’t wait any longer. It’s your turn to set sail.

All aboard!