There is a shifting line that separates land from sea; stable ground from unpredictable waters. 

It is the shoreline that ebbs and flows, day and night, without end. 

And while we all may dance around this line growing up, there comes a day when we will have no choice but to stand upon it; looking out into the vast unknown of our future.

Like the ocean, our lives are submerged in a continuous state of motion; sometimes rising, sometimes falling, never stopping. Where these waters of life will take us, not one of us knows; Adventure and Adversity assuredly awaits.

To stay ashore would seem most comfortable, yet the possibility of what ‘could be’ draws our eyes to the horizon and beckons us

beyond.

And so we step in, push off and set sail. 

As we go forth and pull the main sail, aspirations abound; foolishly believing we are the sole master and commander of our destiny.

The first gale that catches our mast will forever be remembered; pulling us away from the familiar harbour we have always known and pushing us out to sea… no turning back. 

All men must take this step at some point; whether by choice or by circumstance. 

Initially upon departing home and starting our lives, we will carry much hesitation and uncertainty; Our level of preparedness greatly dependant on the captain we sailed under as a boy. For some, well-versed in all aspects of life at sea… sadly others, barely able to tread water.

Our vessel then acting as an outward reflection of our inner self-worth; be it a sturdy craft or driftwood raft. 

We must realize the, that each one of us are now on a voyage, moving from one port to the next. Each decision matters to the integrity of our character and each ‘port of calling‘ shifts our life in a new direction. 

The port of vocation; shark invested shallows in which we determine our life’s work

The port of relationship; wondrous waters where we commit ourself to another

The port of parenthood; sacrificing seas that establishes our crew.

With each port we depart, into deeper waters we are cast; Greater risk yielding greater reward.

And this is good – Because while our lives may experience beauty in the clear and calm waters, hope can only be found in the dark and destructive depths.

For it is only in darkness that we truly understand our frailty and need for a deeper source of security. A source which is outside of ourselves and will hold us steady through the many raging storms we will face.

Even though we feel like we are in control at the helm, we will be rocked by situations. Like a squall, loss and hardship can come out of nowhere.

To be unprepared for these storms can be a deadly oversight. At any moment, of any given day, each one of us are at risk of becoming shipwrecked and spending the remainder of our days laying on the ocean floor.

But, we are equally on the cusp of discoveries and dreams unlike anything we could have ever imagined. The vast ocean of life offers triumph to all who dare enter so long as we understand the risks and come prepared.

And so, we must establish our trustworthy point of core security today…

So that we can boldly sail tomorrow