Industry

I was invited to join my husband last week for a customer focused outing on "The Observer",  a boat operated by the company and used on the Houston Ship Channel as a platform to facilitate the training of Apprentice Boat pilots. But when not in use for that purpose is used as an appreciation vessel to celebrate valued customers. I have been invited often when spouses are included and as we made our way to the port by car,  and got closer and closer to the boat dock, my heart warmed with the expectation of being in the midst of the tug boats, barges and huge ships.  My dad was in the barge business and as a child, many a day and event was spent amidst the floating vessels of the industry. My dad died a few years back but through watching and listening to his concentrated efforts in growing His barge business, I learned to respect and appreciate the overwhelming significance of water transportation, be it business or pleasure. 

The company boat operators are privy to operate in these waters of the ship channel  due to the safety policy of the company and the cooperation of the security management of the ship channel. And to pass by and see up close the activity and the comings and goings of the giant ships and loaded barges pushed by towing boats just reminds me again of how much of this world we really know very little about.  These waterways are only a small portion of waterways that make possible the transportation that is needed to supply our world with survival goods, as well as industry related products needed for energy, building and manufacturing.  I have a genuine

appreciation not only for the invitation to ride and see,  and the memories that are conjured up from childhood, but the realization that I am such a tiny little speck in this world of commerce. This industry, along with so many others, that we as a consumer take for grated,  quietly goes about its business. We will never know the extent of  all the  players behind the scenes that are involved; all those from the actual hands on workers to the sales teams to the policy makers. But it takes a great team to make contributions to make any great industry thrive. 

All this to say, if this industry is this big and has so many connected players,  I cannot even begin to imagine the production that God has got going in his kingdom.  He moves quietly about and manages all things, all people, and all places according to his abounding wisdom and purpose. And each of us are contributing players and are being used and put to work to accomplish one sole goal; His. 

God's goals do not change, his priority is to be the ultimate Savior for his children.  And he goes about doing that through his workers; spreading his message, living in faith,  trusting in his word, and sharing stories of his mighty deals and accomplishments in and through their lives.  It doesn't matter if your are at the top of the ladder of commerce or at the bottom of the ladder of the resources, we all have a purpose and we are all a part of a God made team.  We contribute at different levels becasue we all have different gifts, but what is important is that no matter where we are placed, we are called to do our job and not depend on someone else to pick up our slack.  

Every designated job that God calls us to do is significant.  And not for one minute are we to consider ourselves unworthy of a call.  

For if God calls us to, and we hear that small whisper of suggestion, or he puts something on our minds that was are unable to shake off, he alone knows his reasons and just where that action, word or deed will interplay in his plans and for his purposes. We who believe in the power, the oversight and the authority of God are all in the same industry, called to work together for the good of his kingdom, a kingdom that we have been invited as children to partake in.  Look around, what do you see?  There is a world of opportunity before our very eyes to declare the riches of our Lord.  May we seek them, appreciate them and share them. 

^{1 Thessalonians 5:13-15}  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for the opportunity to see a quiet industry at work on the waterfront,  and help me to recognize the Godly industry that I have been invited to participate in and to do the small part that has been delegated as my responsibility.  Amen  

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!