Ships and People

Some where around 1976 I came across a poster that had a picture of a Tall Ship sailing out from land. It seemed to be heading out into an open sea - away from shore. The message written across the poster's bottom section was one that grabbed my attention and made me buy it. The words read, "A ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are made for."

In my own journey I was making important decisions further along life's road. We had completed a wonderful time of ministry in Walkerton, Ontario with an amazing congregation. God had blessed in so many ways and had opened so many doors. Our little church had opened its heart and resources to the community. We had been given opportunities to reach out to people that had never been contacted before. Personally I had been brought into places and situations with community people that former ministers in my position had never been in contact with. God was opening new doors.

Through a series of events I had come to know the Mayor, the Police Chief, a number of business leaders and many people that loved their community. I came in contact with dozens of other ministers in the community at the ministerial level as well. It was a bit shocking for me to find out that I was the first Pentecostal Minister to ever attend the ministerial. The Mayor and Police Chief knew about the little and old church that our congregation was housed in - but knew none of the people.

These very full years in Walkerton had lead me into unusual things. Among them were the opportunity to become a "mid wife" to hurds of cattle when my farmer friends needed some one to pull calves. By the second year I became the president of the Ministerial that other Pentecostals would have little to do with. In unique series of events God opened doors for me to minister in the Walkerton Jail - two blocks from our church and house. That contact opened another door for me to take steps to become a Riot and Hostage Negotiator for the Ontario Government - a volunteer position that required training and a love for people (I thank the Lord I never had to act in this capacity). Finally - an opportunity came to produce the art work for the first book that I was to be involved with - "Easy as 1,2,3".

There are so many opportunities that flooded our lives. It may all come out some day in a brand new book.

In 1976 as I began to sense the new stirring in my heart and life I had little idea what God would have next for me. I was slowly realizing that I was a ship - and safe harbours were not for me - I did best on the open ocean, with a good wind blowing, the sails full and straining at the mast and rigging, the deck being wet with the sea crashing across the bow, the cargo hold full, with every piece of wood in the vessel creaking, and the captain at the wheel looking intently at the horizon. The ship was going somewhere and everything about it had a purpose.

I pause here to say that in a small town in middle Ontario, with pretty much everything the way it always is, it is hard to believe that much is ever going to change or take place. It was an old community that had always done it a certain way - thank you very much. Outsiders like me were an interesting oddity. One dear person in a comforting tone one day said, "Pastor, you will never really become one of them until you have someone from your family buried in the grave yard." That "would be comforting statement", to help me ease by a tough situation, did more for me to make sure that the rigging on my ship was in good shape - open seas were ahead.

Before this posting becomes forever... I want to say that this old ship that God gave me has travelled many oceans. Together with God as the pilot of my vessel we have seen and done things that others can only dream about. I have crossed oceans and have delivered cargo in ports that are impossible to get to by ordinary people. But that is just it - with God involved and being involved with him - nothing is ordinary. Everything is possible in an impossible world.

The best part I can share today is, as this old boat at 62 years of age next week, continues on its journey, the best is yet to come. I am looking forward to the exciting journey that God has prepared this week, this month, and this year. I know that nothing is impossible and that there is no edge of the earth - there are only new opportunities.

This morning early I can feel the breeze coming up, I hear the sound of the sails beginning to rustle and the sense of new movement of the boat to new opportunity.

"Thank you Lord, for the wonderful opportunity to set sail into this week and see the “new” of each day of wonder."