I’m not a big fan of the whole “Let’s get on a ship and sail somewhere.” I know God gave me legs and not fins for a reason and I appreciate solid ground. Nonetheless, in the Bible we find that God spoke to people on their level, as He still does, and back then fishing was in high demand. One of my personal favorites is found in James 3:4 where God compares our tongue to the rudder of a ship. A rudder, compared to the ship, is very small and may seem insignificant to someone inexperienced in “Boat talk” but in reality, the rudder is what steers the ship. Without it, the boat would be as valuable as a game controller without batteries.

Wow, so our tongue has that type of power? Can it steer our lives in a particular direction?

Most definitely!! Not just any power but the power of Life and Death (Prov 18:21). “How can I have such power?” you ask, “Isn’t God the one in control? Doesn’t He govern my life, isn’t He the Captain of my ship?” These are all very good and valid questions.

I remember when I was a child and we’d watch those pirate movies. The worst thing you could get was “The Black Spot” because that meant that behind your back everyone conspired and found you guilty of some offense. If you were the Captain that usually meant a mutiny or rebellion was coming soon. I would argue that just like these captains lost control because of a mutiny, with our tongue, our lifestyle and our quiet confessions we lead a spiritual mutiny against God.

YES!!! God is the Captain of our ship but over time we plot against him. We get tired of following his “rules” and we compare ourselves to a world that gives into the pleasures of sin that only lasts for a moment. We become convinced that we can do better without him. Slowly we release his control and take over our lives. For a while it seems cool but shortly we find that we are completely unqualified to control anything, let alone our own lives. We find ourselves not walking but running to his throne; the place we should have never left.

In Luke 7:1-10 we find a seasoned veteran; a Centurion well aware of war and how rankings work. He says to Jesus in verse 8,

For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” With all that power and authority he knew that it meant nothing if Jesus wasn’t in control of his life. Jesus replies in verse 9,“I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Not only was he commended on his faith but the Centurions servant was healed.

I don’t know about you but I’ve decided that when God speaks my reply will be “Aye Aye Captain!”