Living as a Warship, Not a Cruise Ship: Navigating Life's Purpose

There's no middle ground in our Christian walk. We're either God's servants or Satan's slaves. Our life is not meant to be lived like a cruise ship, enjoying comfort and leisure, but rather as a warship, engaged in spiritual battle with purpose and mission.

What does it mean to live as a warship instead of a cruise ship?

Galatians 3:20 tells us, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." This powerful verse reminds us that our lives are no longer our own. When we give our lives to Christ, we surrender control and allow Him to direct our path.

The children of Israel wandered around a mountain for 40 years until God finally said, "You've conquered this mountain long enough. Now it's time to head north." North represents God's purpose for our lives. Many of us are still circling mountains when God is calling us to move forward into our purpose.

Why do we struggle to live with purpose?

Many times our problems persist because our priorities are poor. When we hit the snooze button on God's call, we're choosing to live like we're on a cruise ship rather than a warship. The Holy Spirit reminds us: "When I become your priority, other things become less necessary."

In the Book of Acts, we see disciples living comfortably until persecution came. Then they went everywhere preaching the gospel. Sometimes God allows challenges to remind us of our mission and purpose.

How do we renew our minds to live with purpose?

Romans 12:1-2 instructs us to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This renewal comes through:

• The Word of God - Essential for erasing wrong thinking

• The Holy Spirit - Our navigator through life's oceans

Proverbs 12:15 says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." We need both the Word and the Spirit to guide us. The Holy Spirit will never tell us anything that contradicts Scripture, but He will personalize God's direction for our lives.

How does the Holy Spirit guide us in our purpose?

Just as ships have sonar to detect what's beneath the water, the Holy Spirit helps us navigate dangers we can't see. He's like the port pilot who comes aboard to navigate ships through treacherous waters like the Suez Canal.

The Holy Spirit doesn't just guide us - He refreshes us. Acts 3:19 says, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." There's nothing like being "stone drunk" in God's presence - completely filled with His Spirit and joy.

Why is private prayer essential for spiritual success?

Many desire the Lord to reward them publicly but won't sit with Him privately. Jesus taught us to go into our prayer closet, close the door, and pray to our Father who sees in secret and will reward us openly.

Private prayer is where God produces His fruit in our lives. We can't produce the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) on our own. Only God can bear this fruit in us, and it happens when we spend time with Him.

What's in your heart and what you're filled with will drive you. As 2 Corinthians says, "The love of God compels us." The more time we spend with God, the more His love compels us to live on mission.

How do we resist the enemy while living on purpose?

Ephesians 6:11 tells us to "put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Sometimes God doesn't remove what He wants you to resist and fight. You're never alone, but it's a fight nonetheless.

The children of Israel easily came out of Egypt when God parted the Red Sea, but they had to fight to possess the Promised Land. Similarly, we must fight spiritual battles to claim what God has for us.

What is our mission as warships for God?

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 says God "has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation." We've all been given this ministry - we're all ordained to share Jesus with others.

Every day, thousands of people step out of this life into eternity. We must live with urgency to rescue souls. Even our secular jobs are ministry opportunities where we can advance God's kingdom.

What rewards come from living as a warship?

Matthew 6:33 promises, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Provision is found in purpose. When we're about the Father's business of fighting and rescuing souls, He provides for our needs.

How we submit to our Captain and fight here will pay dividends when we stand before Him there. 2 Corinthians 4:7-8 declares, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."

Life Application

This week, commit to living as a warship rather than a cruise ship. Here are some questions to reflect on:

• In what areas of my life am I living like I'm on a cruise ship rather than a warship?

• Am I spending enough private time with God to be filled with His presence and purpose?

• What specific mission has God called me to, and am I actively pursuing it?

• Who in my life needs to hear about Jesus, and how can I share Him this week?

• What distractions or comforts am I prioritizing over God's call?

Remember, our lives are not our own. We've been crucified with Christ, and now He lives in us. Let's navigate life's waters with purpose, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us as we fight the good fight and rescue souls for God's kingdom.