Being on a boat is like second nature to our children.  For their entire lives our boys have observed their father navigate through the waters to fishing spots, but it’s not until it’s their turn do the questions arise and possibly a little anxiety creeps up.  Driving the boat is a huge responsibility. They know if something happens to the boat, or themselves, while they are in command of the vessel, their daddy won’t be too pleased.  He will probably understand because he was their age once and he learned from his father, but nevertheless, they don’t want to disappoint dad.
Well, recently Cole, mine and Tim’s youngest son, took me out on daddy’s boat.  This was the first time he was “captain” for me.  The tide was extremely low, so he had to know where the sandbars were and which direction was the safest to go to reach our fishing destination.  As I was perched in the seat of the tower, my eyes were peering into the water and I was praying until I knew we had bypassed any possible danger.  Whew! We had made it.  Once we reached our destination, there were many boats drifting the same area we were going to be drifting. I didn’t say anything, but observed Cole scanning the area, keeping his proximity a respectful distance from the other fishing boats, and navigating our boat back up to the top of the drift line in order to repeat the whole process over again.   Although we weren’t successful in catching any fish, I sure enjoyed my time, at sunset, with my young man.
When it was time to return home, again I observed Cole take control.  He made sure the navigational lights were on and all objects on the boat secure.  Again, this momma rode topside scanning the waters, as the tide was still at a low point. Cole started to take off in one direction, then I noticed he turned the boat in a more southwest direction for a bit before turning south again.  He enjoyed the speed of the boat and I could sense a feeling of pride wash over him and me.  We made it back safely into the canal where our boat slip is.  
While going through the no wake zone, I asked Cole how he knew where to go both times.  He said, “I’ve seen dad do it many times, and I watched the sonar.”  I knew the answer he was going to give, and he said almost exactly what I thought he would say.  I also knew that this was going to turn into a devotion to share, and I shared it with him first.
Just like Cole had seen his dad drive the boat through these waters for years and use the navigational instrument, isn’t this how we are to do in our walk with Christ?  The Bible is our navigational instrument.  It tells us exactly how to live life and gives us a plethora of examples of how Jesus handled a variety of situations.  Use it!  Like Cole was observing/imitating his dad, we need to observe and imitate Jesus.  How?  Read His word and follow His ways.
In Ephesians 5:1-2 we read, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6

If we imitate Jesus Christ and allow the Holy Bible to be our navigational tool through life, we are sure to please our Heavenly Father.

All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live. Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 

I want to encourage you to open up God’s word, read it, and accept its teachings.  

“So you people must be careful to do everything the Lord commanded you. Do not stop following God! You must live the way the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will continue to live, and everything will be fine with you. You will live a long life in the land that will belong to you.  Deuteronomy 5:32-33 

Don’t stop following God.  His ways are best for you.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie

I am so proud of both Hunter and Cole in their “captaining” skills.  We’ve often told Hunter he should get his captain license.  He is almost a sure thing when it comes to putting people on fish.  Life lessons on the boat are priceless.

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