As I was praying this morning, I saw a boat.  It looked lovely in the water but then I got to see the hull, under the water line.  It was covered in barnacles.  There were masses of them all over the hull. So I asked what is the problem with having them there.  The answer was that they slow you down and they make you use more effort to to move.  Scrape them them off and there is less resistance as you sail.

So I asked what was the picture for.  God said that we need to look at ourselves closely and see all the things that we have let attach themselves to our life.  Tiny, insignificant things compared to the size of our boat.  Tiny until they combine and then they cause drag in our life.  They slow down our progress and cause us to use more energy.

Some things are practical.  Excessive entertainment.  How much Instagram, Facebook, Netflix. Prayer, Bible study, worship  Somethings are internal.  Worry, envy, despair, a general case of not doing what we know we ought to and doing those things we know we ought to avoid.  Generosity vs selfishness.  Community vs isolation.

Then I saw a beautifully decorated building.  It looked amazing.  I thought,” I want it”, but then I thought, “no, I shouldn’t focus on the appearance, the outward look”.  But I felt God say that there is nothing wrong with going for the appearance, the problem is with the motive.  You don’t beautifully paint a house with corrosive.  It isn’t the look you are going for.  You paint it with preservative.  The colour, the gloss, the image is the bi product of the protection that you are giving it.  Again, so it is with us.  Wealth, status, attractiveness, fitness, ‘the appearance’ is not wrong of itself it is our motivation.  These things can be the bi products as we seek the Kingdom of God.

This word is for me.  I know that. I am sharing it because I also think it might be for someone else.  Have think.  Have a pray.  If you want to get in touch and we pray together, I am more than happy to do that to.  Have a beautiful day with smooth sailing,