The Safe Harbor

Written on 9-19-06

After returning home from college I have really begun to understand my life more as a whole and am seeing my heart reveal its true love and passion. Life for me is no longer about entering into the right ministry or trying to live in the right place where God can use me, but rather to enter into a real life of ministry where my heart is wholly involved, where I understand and support the mission in a personal way, and where my life’s joy isn’t dependent on the ministry I’m doing, but that the ministry I’m doing is a reflection of my life’s joy that comes through intimate and real experience with God and his people.

Because of the rich history and relevancy of the fishing lifestyle that is still so present in my hometown, I was able to understand this period of my life in connection with the journey of a fishing boat. As I watched the boats go by in and out of the harbor I saw a lot of my life reflected in them. First off the boats were not made to sit in the harbor where it is "safe," they were built to go out on the seas and face the elements, to go catch fish. As I looked at my life, I realized that although this will always be my "safe harbor," full of great memories and a place to rest, I cannot stay here forever. I was meant to go out into the sea and "fish"; to find that which gives substance to my life and where I find deep joy.

I was always amazed at my grandfather’s ability to take deep joy in what he did, spending countless hours working on his nets and boat and working hard to provide for his family. During different seasons he would leave for extended periods of time and return again with his catch. As I look at the last few years of my life I can see that I have been on extended trips to places far away from home and have returned with new catches each time. I have been personally changed in the process and have learned more about the "art of fishing" through my experiences out on the seas away from the calm waters of the harbor. As I look at where I might be heading after this period of rest in the harbor, I look forward to following the "fish" wherever they lead me and learn even more about myself in the process and how to give that gift to others.