What We’re Made For

“A ship is safe in the harbor,

but that’s not what ships are for.”

— William Shedd

I was like 10 or 12 when I first saw that line on a poster with a gorgeous picture of a boat and a sunset. While attractive, there was something unsettling about it.

This is attractive, too —

Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields. He gave them power to kick out the evil spirits and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives.

Stay alert.

This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.

Don’t be naive.

— That’s from Matthew 10.

There’s also something unsettling about it.

To ignore that is to invite peril.

And yet: “A ship is safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”