Stuck on the Dock of Life

My sister and her husband are boat captains. They are in charge of a 100′ racing yacht that has taken them and the boat’s wealthy owners all over the world.

One of the pictures I received was their boat flying downwind riding the swells in 30 knot storm winds. It was so dangerous that each crew member had to be clipped into a safety harness in case they were swept overboard by the waves. The exhilaration on their faces was evident as the boat raced forward at top speed.

I admired them for how they embraced the adventure with no constraints. They loved the moment and made the most of the experience. I also enjoyed it…from the comfort of my home.

What causes some people to sail through the waves in a storm wind while others are comfortable staying moored (or stuck) on the dock of life?

The Scriptures talk a lot about freedom and urge us to step out and live our life fully. Here are two verses:

Galatians 5:1

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Isaiah 61:1

…To proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.

That’s the goal! Freedom to live our life fully as the Lord designed us.

What keeps us tethered and stuck on the dock of life? There are many reasons, but here are a few of the big ones:

1. FEAR. This is a crippling mindset that everyone deals with. The Enemy of our souls wields this weapon with great effectiveness. We can break its power over us by understanding our identity in Christ. He is the supreme victor over the Enemy and the scourge of fear. The phrase “fear not” is one of the most frequently used commands in all the Scriptures. “Fear not for I am with you!” (Isa. 41:10).
2. FAILURE. Who doesn’t worry about failing in a great enterprise? We’ve read about the heroes of history who overcame insurmountable odds to achieve victory. Yet when it comes to us, that’s a different story! We look too often at our weakness rather than God’s strength. “I will not fail you or forsake you!” (Deut. 31:8). “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jer. 32:27).
3. REJECTION. This is an defeating trait that hides itself carefully. It operates under the radar but can tie us tightly to the dock. It’s another of the Enemy’s lies that seeks to disqualify, diminish and defeat us from even attempting to cast off into the waters. The poisonous whisper says that “You don’t deserve to even be in the boat! Get out! Give up!” God repeated tells us that we are chosen and not rejected. We need to grab hold of this truth. “I have chosen you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” (John 15:16).
4. UNBELIEF. The disciples of Jesus had this characteristic down cold. Especially Thomas. He wouldn’t believe Jesus rose from the dead unless he put his hands in the nail prints and side where the sword pierced. He was given that opportunity where he faced the risen Savior. When he saw the nail prints and wounded side he declared “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). There is a definition of faith called “God confidence” that shows the counter point to unbelief.
5. EXCUSES. We are all adept at making excuses for our behavior. Jesus shared many stories about why people excused themselves from His invitation to follow Him. It takes self awareness to see this tendency to avoid making a commitment to follow Christ. “And Jesus said to another, ‘Follow Me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.'” (Luke 9:59).
6. PROCRASTINATION. We are well intentioned to untie the ropes and get our boat out onto the water. But things just keep popping up and delaying our progress. Days turn in to weeks, then months, then years and nothing happens. Jesus’s command was simple but timely: “Follow Me!” “When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.” (Luke 5:11).

What ropes are keeping you moored to the dock of life? Once identified, they can be untied or cut off (if they’ve been stuck there for a while!). God delights is setting His children free.

Now would be a great time to cast off from the dock and seek the adventure God has for you out on the water!