“Stay in the Boat!”

“I heard God say to me in the vision, ‘Stay in the Boat!” When Chantelle stopped me the other day on the streets of Fishhoek, South Africa to tell me about a vision she recently had, my whole body was covered with goose bumps for so many reasons.

When my wife and I met Chantelle a little over 4 years ago she was homeless and just had a baby. The father of this beautiful baby girl had committed suicide before she was born. Chantelle, started to attend a Monday prayer service that Patty and I were going to at Overflow Church. We invited her to be apart of a recovery group Bible Study we were doing on Tuesday nights.

As we worked through the Lord’s Prayer and the Twelve Steps of AA we watched God do an amazing work in her heart. As the Spirit worked healing from past addictions He also provided a place for her to live and daily bread to sustain her.

Ab0ut six months ago Oceans Ministries contributed to the start up of a preschool for the community on at Overflow Church.  For Patty and I this was a great joy because both of our moms were preschool teachers and even taught together for several years. The first official volunteer for was Chantelle, who was able to bring her daughter Leela for free.

Chantelle has done so well and the preschool has grown to the point where the director hired her and will help pay for her to get a degree in early childcare. Miracle!

But let me go back to my divine appointment I had with her.  In the vision she was in a boat like the ones in Jesus’ day.  In the front of the boat was a man who had the sail wrapped around him. The water was still. The boat was going nowhere. However in the next scene of her vision the man took the sail and hoisted it up the mast and then wind picked up and the boat slowly began to move.

The man turned around, and Chantelle said that she immediately knew it was Jesus, and He said these simple words, “Stay in the Boat!” Chantelle, said after these words were spoken an overwhelming peace filled her soul. She knew that He was directing her future and no matter what she had to trust Him and “stay in the boat.”

Another reason why I was physically and spiritually touched by the words “Stay in the Boat” is because recently my mom has been battling with a rare form of cancer.  During the last few conversations and prayer times with her I’ve felt called to tell her to “Stay in the Boat!” I couldn’t wait to call my mom and tell her about Chantelle’s vision with the exact same words “Stay in the Boat!” What a Father God who hears our prayers and knows the cries of our heart. Meeting Chantelle walking on the streets of Fish Hoek and hearing her vision was a gift to remind me, my mom,  and perhaps some of you to “Stay in His boat.”

Life is a mystery like being in a boat that we are not in control of.  Sometimes there is no wind and it appears like we are going nowhere. At other times the boat is being pounded by horrific waves and we feel like we are about to sink. But the Spirit of Christ speaks to us and says, “Trust Me, stay in the boat!”  He has the perfect Haven which He is leading us to and grants peace to fill our hearts no matter what happens on the journey.

I’m not sure where your boat is at these days, but may you too hear Jesus say, “Stay in the Boat! I’m with you now and forever!”

“Peace be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another. “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Mark 4:40-41