So you’ve finally pushed your little boat out into the deep waters of where God is leading you and it feels good. That thing you’ve wanted to do, the thing that you’ve prayed about, put off, told your best friend about and procrastinated over is starting to take shape. However, your first feelings aren’t about the opportunities and potential your gifts can bring as you move through uncharted waters in your little boat, it’s fear. Fear that you’re just too insignificant to make a significant impact. This is the moment when you say to God, “We’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

Martin Brody wasn’t kidding when he said that they would need a bigger boat. Trying to catch a 7-metre long great white shark aptly named, “Jaws” would require something bigger than the little fishing boat they were in. I believe what made this movie so popular was the fact that a police officer who hated the ocean decided to swallow his fear, go out into the deep murky waters of a vast ocean and take on the great white in an insignificant fishing boat.   

God does His most significant work when you’re feeling the most insignificant. The truth is that the power of the cross is actually in its insignificance. God isn’t going to give you a bigger boat until you’ve learned to ‘use what is in your hand’ (Exodus 4:2) ‘And are faithful in the little things’ (Luke 16:10) If we’re like Brody and are ready to take on a great white shark regardless of what sized boat we have, then God can turn our lives into one of significance.   

1 Corinthians 1:28-29 says that’ He chose the lowly, the laughable in the world’s eyes-nobodies-so that he would shame the somebodies. For he chose what is regarded as insignificant in order to supersede what is regarded as prominent so that there would be no place for prideful boasting in God’s presence.’    

Bigger boats can lead to bigger egos, pulling up the sails of false modesty and sandbagging will help your little boat be pushed along by the winds of pride, guiding you toward the rocky coastline quicker than a great white smelling blood.

So, launch out into the deep waters of your calling and believe that God can use your insignificant little boat to live a life of significance. Trust in God’s anointing on your gifts and talents. And when you can’t fit any more people that you’ve managed to rescue from the great white shark in your little boat, ask God for a bigger boat! 

Wendy xo