The Sheer Sweetness of Sunken Boats: Why I Marvel at God’s Chosen Discipline
Okay, y'all, let’s talk about boats. Not just any boats, but *sunken* boats. I know, I know, it sounds kinda morbid, right? But lately, I’ve been thinking about the stories in the Bible, the ones where things go sideways, and I’ve really been drawn to the times when God uses, let's just say, *unconventional* methods to get our attention. Like when people end up at the bottom of the sea. Specifically, I'm thinking about the story of Jonah.
Now, I’ve always loved the tale of Jonah and the big fish. It’s a classic! But recently, I've been focusing on the part *before* the fish, when Jonah’s boat is about to be swallowed by the storm. In Jonah 1:4, it says, "But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up." Think about that for a second. The sheer power of God, right? He’s not messing around. And, you know, sometimes I feel like we get so caught up in our own plans and ideas that we forget that God is still very much in charge. He’s in the wind, in the waves, even in the storm. He's in the sunken boats.
I remember this one time, it was last summer, and I was absolutely convinced I knew what God wanted me to do. I had this amazing business idea – I was going to open an online shop selling handcrafted… well, it doesn't matter. The point is, I was *sure* this was my calling. I’d poured all my savings into it, I’d stayed up late nights working on my website, and I’d even told everyone I knew about it! And then...nothing. Sales were sluggish, there was a shipping issue that completely messed things up, and I basically lost everything I'd put in. It felt like my own little boat, my grand plan, had sunk.
At first, I was furious, honestly. I was questioning God, wondering why He would let this happen. But then, I started reflecting, praying more, and looking at the bigger picture. And you know what? It hit me: maybe I was so focused on *my* idea, I wasn't really listening to God's. I hadn’t asked for His guidance, I'd just charged ahead. Just like Jonah, I was trying to steer my own ship, and God, in His wisdom, sent a little storm to remind me who was actually in control. It's kind of scary but also comforting knowing that, even when things seem like they are falling apart, He’s still present. In the chaos, I can still see His grace.
That experience, while pretty painful at the time, brought me closer to Him. Now, I try to apply this to everyday life. If I'm feeling overwhelmed, or like I'm losing control, I remind myself of that little sunken ship. I take a breath, pray, and try to really listen to what God might be trying to tell me, and not just charge forward with my own plans. I also think about how sometimes things we view as negative might actually be blessings, though maybe a bit rough around the edges. Like Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Even the really hard stuff, even the sunken ships, can be part of His plan.
It reminds me of another time, a smaller storm, when I was planning a family picnic, and it rained all morning. I was so disappointed! I had spent hours making food and packing, and it all seemed for naught. But we ended up spending time indoors playing games and talking, and it was just the kind of relaxed family time that I had been longing for. If the weather had been perfect, we might have spent the whole time running around outside and missed that closeness. It really showed me how God can shift our paths, and how we need to be open to His guidance.
So, the next time your boat is rocked by a storm, or maybe even ends up at the bottom of the sea, don't lose heart. Don't think it’s the end of the world, or that God has abandoned you. Instead, maybe it's just a little course correction, a gentle reminder that He is the captain of your ship, and that His plan is always better than yours. Lean into that, trust Him, and you might just find something beautiful emerges from the depths.
What "sunken boat" experiences have you had that, in hindsight, brought you closer to God?