If you have ever been on a cruise ship you have witnessed people running to catch the ship before it leaves port. You may have even watched people running to the departed ship thinking it would turn around because they failed to follow instructions. That ship had sailed.

Mary & I have been on a couple of cruise ships. Before we got off the ship, we confirmed what time we needed to be back on board. Everything we did was planned around that time. It was not like the cruise ship surprised anyone with leaving. There were repeated instructions & warnings before the ship docked about the time of departure.

But some, either through poor planning or those that are habitually late thought the departure time was a suggestion. It appears from different meetings I attend… church, school, and other gatherings, “late” has become the normal. I once was a habitual, free-spirited late person. I had a reputation of being late for everything until a leader pulled me aside and explained my habit was disrespectful & self-centered. Ouch!!! It was true.

Like the cruise ships instructions & warnings, God gives us crystal clear instructions & warnings in His Word. There is a departure coming. The ship will sail!

Are you on-board with Christ? We find the answer in Matthew 19:16-22. A rich young ruler approached Jesus and asked, ““Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” He chose the comforts of the temporary port over God’s Way to eternity.

In John 3, Jesus told Nicodemus we must be “Born Again” (see Romans 10:9). Paul told us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

But with God, it’s about priorities. Who is FIRST? Some people think, “I’ve got a few more things to do, then I’ll make God a priority. Afterall, God is love, He would not leave without me?” If you read Genesis 6-9, Noah & God’s Ark, I think it will give you a different perspective.

So, what do we do as we wait for the departure? Jude 1: 20-21 tells us, “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”

Jesus tells us in Revelation 22:12  “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”

Where will you be when the ship sails?