Cut Loose

In an old movie, Abbott & Costello rowed furiously away from danger but the threat still loomed – the boat was still tied to the dock!  The scene reminds me of Dad's description of riding a stationary bicycle for the first time, "I peddled and peddled, but didn't get anywhere."

 

"And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind,

and made toward shore." (Acts 27:40). This passage tells of the doomed voyage as Paul and other prisoners were being taken to Rome.  The crew of Paul's ship were serious about moving on -- took up anchor, loosed the rudder bands and hoisted the mainsail to the wind ... "they committed themselves unto the sea."  What is it that holds us back in our walk with Christ?  Is it selfish habits? Old sin? Tradition?  Timid thinking?  Apathy?  Fear?  Yes, I know there is great safety in staying anchored or even remaining on shore.  The truth about ships, however, is "a ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are for."  God intimately calls each of us to take up the anchor, cut loose what binds us, and give way to His Will in all our ways and days.  Smooth sailing?  Probably not.  Scary?  Definitely.  Safe?  Of course.  My Dad writes, "We are made on purpose with a purpose." God's wants us to know that purpose and to see us live out that purpose for which we are designed.  A New Year -- a new  challenge, a new vision.  Let's cut loose!