Imagine that you are a 17th century ship captain.  Maybe you're sailing because your job
involves trade across the ocean.  Maybe you're sailing because you are an explorer who
makes maps.  Maybe you, your crew and your passengers are fleeing from your home
country because of religious persecution.  No matter the case... back then, there were no
Rand McNally Road Maps, Garmin GPS devices, or "ONstar" on the Cadillac Schooner
you're steering.  (Longitude wasn't even created until the mid-1800's.)  Sailors had to rely
on the heavens to make their way to their desired destination.   A lot of times, whole crews
would be lost at sea because they were so lost that they ran out of supplies or ran into a huge storm and capsized.  I'm glad I'm a student and not a sailor.  :)
     Do any of you feel like you are a ship tossed out on the sea? Maybe you are in need of a GPS or a map?  Sometimes, finding our purpose or our direction in this world is tough.  Perhaps it would not be a bad idea to look to the heavens.
     Ships...most ships anyway, have anchors.  They weigh thousands and thousands of pounds and though it may be significantly smaller than the ship it belongs to, once it is dropped, it can keep that ship right where it is for a long time.  For us, anchors represent the things that we are holding on to that are keeping us from God...or being closer with God.  A lot of people, teens especially I think, have a problem with Idols.  I know that for me, idols were things like sports, girls, guitars, reputation, school...and the list could go on and on.  Until you cut that anchor and choose to let God steer your ship, you'll stay in that same harbor...
     God will guide your ship even in the worst of storms.  Whatever you've been through or are going through, I can promise that it is nothing compared to what happened to Christ.  Jesus calmed the seas for the disciples in Matthew 8, even though they had little faith.  Christ can calm our storms if only we cut our anchor and sail for him.  
                                             It's important to realize that sailors sail for a purpose.  
                                   Whether that be recreation, trade and commerce, exploration...or whatever.  We should 
                                             sail our lives with a purpose.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I 
                                                  have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to 
                                                       harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  We can find comfort 
                                                            in the joy that God has a definite plan for us.  He knows where 
                                                                 we are coming from, and where our destination is.  The battle is 
                                                                     already won... Christ has already died for our sins.  What do 
                                                                           we have to fear??  So guys, if you're worried about where 
                                                                                                    you'll be, next month, next year, 20 years from 
                                                                                                              now.... have faith!  Let Christ steer your 
                                                                                                                        ship.  Cut away that anchor of 
                                                                                                                             whatever is holding you back. 
                                  Trust.  Raise your sails.  I promise, the rewards are great!  
Defining Our Purpose and
Setting Our Course