Merchant Ships, seriously? part II

Yesterday we discussed how the ideal woman, the Proverbs 31 woman if you please, is reliant on God for her power, just as the ancient merchant ships needed to rely on greater powers than the oarsmen on board.....there's no way that they could make their super-long voyages just with rowing. They needed the greater powers of wind and water to do that.
As Christian women, whether married or single, we must rely on God as our greater power -- He is how we can do what must be done, and do it graciously!
But we need a plan, or it won't happen.
This is my plan -- very basic, and easy for me to remember: Spend daily time in the word and be in continual prayer.

Okay, this is where the rubber meets the road, as they say.
For me, Snoodles, that means that I need to read my Bible and have some time with my journal and prayer list at the start of each and every day. (Sometimes that is very early, and I'm pretty bleary-eyed, but that is a whole other story.) It also means that I will continue to go to Him throughout my day in prayer.
When I was homeschooling our kiddos, I had some built-in breaks in the day . . . when they were working on math or diagramming sentences, I had a few moments of peace and reflection. Now, as I help my self-employed hubby with his business, those moments are harder to find.....but just as necessary!
Just a side note here....are you forgetful when it comes to charging your cell phone? I am. I'm bad about letting it get down to nothing, nada, zilch. Cannot make a call. All because I didn't keep up with charging it. Well, some Christians make the mistake of treating the Father like a cell phone charger. They plug in and get charged up, then disconnect and try to keep going until they drop.
How much better it is to stay connected to God -- to make time for prayer and reflection, to receive that fresh infilling of His spirit to keep us motivated and moving!
You see, He is not a phone charger; He is a loving Father, a holy and righteous Savior that we are blessed to have a close relationship with.  If we abide in His love, we can accomplish what we need to, and we can bear fruit and glorify the Father!

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”  John 15:4-9

You see, it is that relationship with Him that gives us that greater power that we require. It's a relationship founded on the fact that a loving Christ died on the cross for our sins . . .but He wants to call us His friends! (Verse 15 of that chapter in John) We don't deserve that title, but He desires that relationship with us.

There is another way that we are like that merchant ship pictured up there --- as the ancient merchants traveled across the seas, they could easily be attacked by fleets from a warring neighbor, or by pirates. Did they travel unprotected, so they would be easy prey for enemies or looters? Not likely! They were always on guard and they also had weapons to defend themselves and protect their goods.

We must protect our goods, as well. Our spiritual goods. Our relationships with our Lord, and our witnesses for Him.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” Ephesians 6:10-18

As women who are like merchant ships, we are called to protect and guard our relationship with Christ, and to rely on Him to power us through our days.