04/15/2016
Devotion: Apprentice/partner/captain
Years ago I met a guy who was strictly a pond hunter. He wanted to learn to hunt big water and seemed like a nice guy so I decided to take him under my wing. That season we became good friends and hunted together constantly. He learned to gather decoys on the fly in cold waves, stop the boat from bumping shore with his feet as we approached land, tolerate freezing temps while facing into the December wind while keeping an eye out for hazards in the moonlight, walk in soft muck at a pace that kept him from sinking while at the same time allowing him to anticipate unseen obstacles and much more. It was my privilege to teach him and my delight to watch him learn.
In the seasons to follow, my apprentice earned the title of partner. The things I previously had to prompt him to do had become second nature to him. Before I knew it, he was nearly my equal in knowledge and ability and his presence during difficult/dangerous hunts had become a comfort rather than a responsibility for me.
After a few years my leadership role diminished and his knowledge had grown enough that he felt comfortable suggesting places to hunt and how to set up. Not long after that my partner got himself a boat. He began to follow along side my boat in his and I added a new apprentice to fill his recently vacant seat. Once my now former partner had spent enough time piloting his boat along side of me he set off on his own. He had matured into a captain and I had little doubt that he would one day pick up an apprentice to train in the way just as I had done with him.
Out on the duck hunting waters apprentices become partners and sometimes partners become captains. It's just the way things go. It is an honor and a privilege to witness and contribute to the maturation of a new hunter even if only to have to watch them fly the nest one day. There's a message hidden within such a relationship that speaks to me of what God does with each of us.
In the beginning we all teach rather actively, almost constantly, but little by little, as our disciples become more capable we withdraw our influence. We never physically leave our student's side but we interject less as they demonstrate their capability more. In the same way I have come to believe that God never leaves our side but sometimes withdraws his direct influence because He actually does desire for us to learn to walk.
Maybe you've experienced days when when you've felt like you could do just about anything. Mountains seemed to fall and valleys rose to meet the very path of your feet. I think those are the days when the teacher's influence is constant and in our infancy complete dependency is natural. It's the apprenticeship stage. There's nothing looming overhead if we stumble because we know so little and we accept constructive criticism readily...calling it instruction. We feel almost carried by the wisdom of the teacher. The Holy spirit is an overcoming presence by nature and the result of God's presence is naturally to overcome everything in this world (john 16:33).
In contrast to those times there are days when you probably feel like there is nothing you can do right; no matter how hard you try. I believe those are the moments some influence is withdrawn and our Father is standing in front of us with pleading arms cheering us on as we take the first baby steps of our Christian walk. It's where partnership is growing. He's carried us, taught us a bit and is now delightfully watching the fruit of His work, our growth.
Just like the teacher student relationship we model in the field; sanctification is a process leading from apprenticeship to partnership to maturity and then the rebirthing of discipleship.
The captain of our faith has agreed to take us aboard and teach us to overcome big water. He will guide us, partner with us, help us mature and then bless us with the opportunity to disciple others. He'll never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). He knows the plans he has for us, plans to prosper us and not harm us, plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
(Jay W)
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Isaiah 43:2 ESV
“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.””
Matthew 14:30-33 ESV
