Life Is An Excursion Or Nothing At All

“They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.” Psalm 107:23-24

There are 3 months left in 2023. That means only 3 months left to accomplish what you wanted to get done for the year. What will you do with those 90 days or so? My encouragement would be to not let anything stop you from making this one of your best years! Don’t worry the year is almost over. Even if you made New Year’s resolutions that you haven’t followed through with, don’t give up yet!

We’re on a cruise and it’s interesting to listen to people’s perspectives on cruising. Some people believe everyday should be a sea day where you sit and relax and do nothing. Others enjoy getting off the ship every day and seeing new sights and learning new things. They want to enrich their lives with activities.

Personally, a sea day here and there is fine. The recharge is necessary to keep moving forward but to do nothing every day? A balance is good. Ephesians 4:24 says renew your attitude. Isaiah 40:31 says to hope in the Lord and He will renew your strength. Rom. 12:2 says be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Days of recharging bring new attitude, hope, strength and a clear mind to move forward and forget the past. Move forward and enjoy life’s new excursions.

Will the rest of your days of cruising into 2024 be sea days or will you get off your ship and see and learn new things? It’s never too late for an excursion.

How can you find motivation to get off your ship and keep moving?

First, get rid of distractions you can’t control. Are you afraid to get off ship because of the short boat ride over the deep ocean? Is it limiting and distracting you from disembarking? Don’t look at the temporary, rough ride. Focus on the shore, not the distraction of the ocean. “Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all distractions.” Prov. 4:25 (MSG)

Are you afraid an excursion might cost too much? Some of the best things in life cost us. Look how much Jesus paid for our excursion to live. “You were bought at a price.” 1 Cor. 7:23a (NIV)

The cruise lines will entice you with fancy shore excursions. They lead you to believe that booking your port shore excursions through them is the most hassle-free, and time savings way to enjoy your time off the cruise ship. The world will entice us with excursions that will make us think that route will be hassle free and you will enjoy the things the world plans. Your journey through life can be enjoyed just as much by going through life with Him on the excursions He chooses.

Don’t look back at what you should have done. “Jesus said, ‘No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.’” Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭62‬ ‭(MSG‬‬) Don’t spend so long looking at the distractions so that it will soon be too late to move forward. Move on!

Speak scripture out loud. Speak affirmations out loud over yourself. “…. Let the weakling say, “I am strong!” Joel‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬ Affirmations motivate you to keep moving forward. Don’t give up on your goals for 2023.‬

Are you moving on or stuck in port? Statistics say 43% of people give up on their resolutions or goals for the year by the end of January. As Christians, we should strive to be more Christ like every day and to move forward in our journey with Him. Whether or not we set goals or resolutions or, even if we didn’t, the grace of Jesus is there every day.

Your greatest weakness is sitting in port still on October 1st having done nothing. The way to reach your goals, improve yourself and become more like Him is to try “just one more time.” When you leave port, remind yourself of your excursions you chose at the beginning of 2023. Remind yourself of your destination.

Life is full of excursions-some good and some bad-but at least you are moving. Always keep moving forward through life’s excursions but don’t forget a sea day of rest and recharge! Days at sea will allow you to recharge for longer, harder days ashore at some point in your journey.

The choice is yours to stay in port or cruise into 2024 with more excursions behind you and closer to your destination. Leave the port and see what He can do. Your 3 month cruise starts today!