Embarking on “Hard-Ship”

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

Hard-ship is the vessel no one wants to board. When we hear the alert: “Rough waters ahead,” we batten down the hatches and prepare for a storm. When health, relationship, or financial crises threaten, we shudder at the thought of facing choppy waters, but storms are unavoidable. No one goes through life without them.

Hard-ship is the barge that slowly pushes forward with its heavy load. The only way to safely move ahead and avoid a shipwreck is to put our trust in God.

Remarkably, we can have peace in the storm, despite the enormity of the unwelcome load. We can be assured of safekeeping and confident in the promise that God mysteriously makes all things work together for our blessing (Romans 8:28). We are merely crew members with limited control of our ship or our destiny. But we have a Captain who is in full control! He has power, capabilities, and knowledge we cannot fathom.

Let Him be our focus in the midst of a storm.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

Sailing on “Workman-Ship”

~ Barbara ~ 2 Comments

This ship is interesting. It not only reflects who we are, but also what we do. We are workmanship, and we produce workmanship.

To be precise, we are God’s workmanship, created to do good works, according to Ephesians 2:10.

God’s creation of us was with foresight and knowledge. His process wasn’t random or unplanned, but precise and with purpose. Each of us is wonderfully made, and every nuance that makes us unique is part of His design.

Because we’re made in God’s image and like Him, we possess an innate desire to create, produce, and do good. And God is all for us! He fitted us for the work He had in mind for us.

When we cook that meal, wire that building, crochet that afghan, build that skyscraper, sing that song, write those words, cultivate that yard, tend to that need, we are reflecting Him.

As we sail through life as God’s workmanship, we can have confidence in the person we were created to be, fully equipped to do what He has planned for us. We are not random cells that came together, but designed with meaningful purpose and the privilege to leave God’s creative mark through the good works we were created for.

Image provided by Pixabay

Boarding Fellow-Ship

~ Barbara ~ 3 Comments

Today we sail into deep waters. Friendship is priceless, but fellowship is richer, venturing into uncharted, sometimes stormy waters that reveal hidden strengths and weaknesses. While friendship reflects mutual interests, fellowship is about growth and encouragement, moving beyond shared laughter and tears to unveil our deepest questions and highest aspirations. The vulnerability is frightening, but the rewards can be immeasurable.

Fellow-ship must be approached carefully and with discernment. Boarding may cause waves and expose us to storms we’ve long avoided, but consider the blessings. Hidden thoughts warp over time and skew our perspective. They fester when kept in the dark, but exposing them to light brings health and freedom.

The first and primary friend we need to fellowship with is God. Honest conversation calms the soul and frees our hearts. His presence counters our fears with truth, spoken by His Spirit and written Word. God is utterly trustworthy, loves completely, and never turns us away.

Human fellowship is also precious. We find freedom and growth when we reveal hidden feelings and fears to people who will share our burdens and accept us. But before we offer our trust, one qualification must be met—they need to have a living, vibrant relationship with God. It is good to be cautious. We should not reveal our hearts to someone who freely offers personal opinions that are not informed by God’s wisdom.

With God, there are no restrictions on sharing. With people, we need discernment and time. Trust needs to be established. Parameters need to be set. We also need to guard those who have caused us pain and not reveal their sin to others.

Fellowship is a good ship to sail. It is strong and holds steady in storms. It will carry us on high waters and set a course to wholeness.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, 
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:14

Image provided by Pixabay

Sailing on the “Friend-Ship”

~ Barbara ~ 3 Comments

Where will we sail in this brand-new year? No, I’m not hinting at a Caribbean cruise. Today, 2026 leaves port, and we’re all aboard. I can guarantee there will be adventures and opportunities, but I’m afraid we’ll likely hit some rough waters as well. Thankfully, we’re not floundering in inflatable lifeboats but floating in ships we deem safe. Over the next few weeks, we’ll look at some of those ships.

Friend-Ship

This is one of the loveliest ships for our travels, and a provision from God to help us navigate life. These are a few things He says about friendship.

The blessings:

  • A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need (Prov. 17:17).
  • Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble (Eccl. 4:9-10).
  • Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice (Prov. 27:9).

Friends help when we have need, lift us up when we fall, and advise when we’re unsure.

The benefits:

  • As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend (Prov. 27:17).
  • Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).
  • Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves (Rom. 12:10).

Friends sharpen us, making us better with them than without them. They share our burdens, lightening our load. They are devoted and honor us.

The banes:

  • Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble (Prov. 13:20).
  • A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends (Prov. 16:28).
  • Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared (Prov. 22:24-25).

The writer of Proverbs warns us against fools, troublemakers, gossipers, and hot tempers.

What friendships will you nurture or rekindle in 2026?

What friends are unhealthy and necessitate ending the relationship?

What new friends will God introduce to you?

What kind of friend will you be?

I hope you will be exactly what you’d like to find in a friend—loyal, encouraging, sensitive, serving, and loving.

Photo by Antonino Visalli on Unsplash