SHIPS

So entering a SHIP of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia…And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his FRIENDS and receive care – Acts 27:2-3

There are ‘ships’ you need to board in order to experience true fulfilment in life. Conventional ships carry people through intercontinental oceans, but these destiny ships will bear you over the oceans of life, with their turbulence and waves. Jonah was instructed to board a ship to Nineveh, but in defiance, joined one going to Tarshish and almost payed with his life (Jon.1:1-15). Paul was put into a ship to go appear before Caesar, but his attitude of faith in God refreshed and saved every soul in that ship that was connected to his destiny. May you never board a ship in the direction of destruction in Jesus name!

The first ‘ship’ is RELATIONSHIP, which is both vertical (God-ward) and horizontal (good understanding with men). A person with a proper attitude is able to relate to others, and deal wisely with individuals and groups of people. This ship refers to different kinds and levels of interaction, connection and communication, which can deepen to embrace friendship.

The second ‘ship’ is FRIENDSHIP – that strong and wide ‘ship’ in which parties complement, strengthen, and stick by each other through the storms of life. A true friend sees you through when others assume that you are through: “there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother” (Pro.18:24). An old Arabic proverb says, “Blood is thicker than milk.” Similarly, the blood of covenant relationship is thicker that the breast milk sucked from the same breast by natural brothers. You should be a faithful friend, and choose your friends wisely. Blessed are you when you do not mistake a friend for a foe, or a foe for a friend. Friendship, like family relationships, can last for a life time. God will use true friends to spice up your life and bring in the needed attributes to complement your outlook.

Many people misunderstand a friend to be an indulging and permissive person, who allows them to do what they want, when they want it, and have their way. A person who accommodates your weakness without assisting you to overcome it or panders to your whims and caprices is not a friend, but an enemy indeed. A true friend challenges you consistently by his or her lifestyle or otherwise, to become a better person. The world often says, “There is no friend in business.” This is false and contrary to the Christian faith. Good Success will not demand the sacrifice of faithful friendship. Success is not an end; it is a means towards a greater end, which is to glorify God. Do not join the fools, like Judas, that will betray their friends to save their position, power or prestige. This is not worth it. It carries a death sentence in the spirit realm. Do not lose your friends in the pursuit of fame, funds or fortune. God wants you to be blessed so that you can be a blessing

The third ‘ship’ is PARTNERSHIP; one you must be extra-cautious in boarding. It is not every person who has the financial or intellectual capacity in your field of endeavour that is necessarily qualified to be your partner. You may not hope for friendship to evolve from partnership, but expect partnership to evolve from friendship. When two friends come into partnership, they have more reward for their labour (Eccl.4:9). Your partner must share your belief and appreciate your passion. Darkness and Light have no relationship. Jonathan and David’s relationship was an exemplary friendship and partnership. Either of them was willing to risk their lives to protect the relationship. Their landmark friendship transcended death. After Jonathan’s death, David asked, “Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2Sam.9:1).

Many ‘Ships’ nowadays are quite shallow; with ‘friends’ preying on their family, business, and good names upon their death. When you help build your friends, you build your future. Friendship brings Refreshing. Partnership brings Productivity in life.