“Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them (…)” Jonah 1: 5

Life is a journey that starts at birth and ends at death. It starts with family members whom we have not chosen. However, like onion, as our journey unwraps, either out of conviction, unconsciously or involuntarily, we allow other people on our ships. However simple it might look, that decision can either be to our detriment or to our advantage, depending mainly on the type and quality of the people we authorize on our ships. Today, let’s zero in on this sensitive decision building on Jonah 1:1-17 and on Matthew 8:23-27.

Brethren, while the Sailor in Jonah 1 was admitting Jonah onboard his ship, little did he know about his pedigree and the load of problem his being on that ship would attract on other passengers. Indeed, the passengers were near having a shipwreck and could probably have become co-victims of everything fighting Jonah, if the Lord had not had mercy upon them. Even if their lives were eventually preserved, some of them had lost their baggage since the effort of saving the ship led to casting some of them into the sea. Not until they had harkened to Jonah’s advice by throwing him into the sea they could not pursue their journey peacefully. 

My brother and my sister, maybe your journey has stopped or has been tremendously delayed because of some people with very heavy spiritual loads you are carrying on your ship. You may need to part with some of them right now. 

Unlike Jonah, Jesus-Christ was in a ship with his disciples when a great tempest arose. The situation proved the disciples’ faith low. They rushed to the ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1) and he brought everything back to normal. 

Imagine this storm stiller in your ship throughout your earthly journey! Your heart will consistently be at peace when storms of life come because you know that, among other advantages, the fruit of your investment will not be wasted as in the case of Jonah’s co-travelers. 

Brethren, where possible, may you be deliberate in who you allow on your ship on your life journey. Many destinies today have been cut short by reason of inappropriate people being on some ships. For a smooth and impactful journey, ask God today to clear your ship of any Jonah and to bring Jesus.