December 17

Risked Necks…

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.
(Romans 16:3-4)

“A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.”
—William G. T. Shed

For those deepest in the quest after the Serving King, safe harbor no longer appeals, no more tempts the seaworthy ship and crew to remain in calm waters, avoiding the very purpose for which they were created. Instead, fellow workers, those trekking deepest after the Serving King, have embraced a new way of being and doing, risky in every way, rough seas the expected way of life, no sea to rough to encumber the quest after the Serving King. Today however, marks the return of one fellow worker, one whose risked neck survived for another day, another adventure on the heels of the Serving King.
But not all trekkers make it beyond safe harbor, unable or too intimidated, some remain in quiet waters, awaiting the return of those who have risked much for the sake of the Kingdom of God. But they too, those who remain in calm waters, have a significant place in the Kingdom of God, a role designed by the King for those unable to man the decks of ships soon seaward bound to the roughest seas.
These are the greeters, those who pamper both returning ship and sailor. They are the encouragers, the financiers, the suppliers, the cheerleaders, those who recognize the value of the risked necks coming closest to the cross awaiting us all. So the greeters soothe the aching necks of those who have risked much for the Kingdom of God.
And there will be days when joining the sailors on the roughest seas lures you to abandon your role, to leave behind the greeter’s task, to man the decks of of seaworthy ships. But not every neck is meant to be risked. So resist the temptation to leap onto the deck of the seaward bound. Wait for HIs call, His mandate to join the crew, and in the meantime greet my fellow workers…