“Jetsam…” (by Mel McGuire)

In a message based on the story of Paul being shipwrecked in Acts 27, I learned a term I had never known before, “jetsam”. Once I discovered its meaning, I had a certain revelation.

In the story, the ship was being ravaged by a storm, and the crew decided that after throwing the cargo overboard to lighten the ship, it became clear the ship was still in distress and sinking was a real possibility.

So, they began to jettison, or throw overboard, things needed for sailing, but not necessary for survival. This image is an example of jetsam. Looks like some type of furniture that could have been used to store documents, or to write on…any myriad of things. But it was heavy and became jetsam.

There are times in our life (my revelation), when we must take inventory of the things, people, habits, patterns, or stuff around us and make some hard decisions about whether we need them to survive.

When the storms of life threaten to sink you…what do you really ? Jetsam is essentially luxury items in the sense they may be useful, valuable, and make some things more convenient. But when it comes time to help you stay afloat, they are simply extra weight.

Often we flounder in our purposes and pursuits because we refuse to identify and get rid of the jetsam in our life. All of us do it. It can be hard to let go of things you worked hard to obtain, waited for, prayed for, or even were gifted. Any of it can become jetsam and weigh you down.

What the Lord showed me was that if I was stuck on a deserted island, with only the remnants of the ship left to make use of…what would I use to build a raft? Do you take anything with you that isn’t designed to keep you alive?

When you need to survive, certain things lose their importance. Fame, popularity, wealth, reputation, and ego are all nice to have. But you don’t need them to survive. Some of that stuff, like jetsam at sea, may wind up on the shore with you…most of it won’t. Think about that.

Whether it is a specific goal, like obtaining a college degree, or just a general goal, like living a life that pleases God, jetsam can slow you down, weigh you down, or keep you down. Throw it overboard! You cannot thrive if you don’t first survive!

“Flotsam…” (by Mel McGuire)

Heard a message at church recently about Peter being on a ship that was eventually shipwrecked. The story is in Acts 27, and the chapter concludes with some of the ship personnel arriving on shore on pieces of the broken-up ship, or flotsam.

Flotsam basically is derived from the term “to float” and basically any part of a ship that floats is flotsam. Point being, the ship itself was doomed, but the individual pieces were enough to get everyone safely to shore.

Their plan was to run the ship aground, but it broke up prior to that happening. Not everything on the ship would float, so they had to hang on to the right piece or pieces. What ministered to me was the idea that some of my plans, my ideas, my habits or practices…are doomed to be shipwrecked.

It is obvious to me by now, that they are not going to work, they are not going to get me where God wants me…I am floundering, stagnant, making no headway and being tossed  to and fro by the winds of life. Now is when I start looking for flotsam.

Most of the things God wants me to accomplish involve two key pieces: Motivation and Method. Proper motivation joined with improper method will result in a shipwreck. Wrong motivation, using the preferred or optimum method…same thing…shipwreck.

Once my plans run aground, I need to find that part or parts that still float. If my motivation is selfish, or to receive glory, fame, or fortune…and NOT love, or a desire to be a blessing or minister life, I need to let that sink. And maybe hold on to the method that God gave me, a method that was designed to work only with proper motivation.

If I believe my motivation is godly, I may have to adjust my method. When my “why” is in line, I need to let go of MY “how” and sometimes my “when”. God will show you what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and WHY (motivation) to do it.

What I am saying is just because your plan is failing, does not mean you need to scrap all of it. Go to God…find the parts that still float and hang on to those. Humility will tell us that once we identify the thing(s) that hold us back, we need to let them go! Never be so proud that you cannot or will not change your motivation, or your method…or both!

God’s love is the greatest motivation ever. His methods change depending on a lot of things, including us…but love conquers all, it never fails, and is the very nature of God. Love floats. You can go to I Corinthians 13, “the Love Chapter”, and check your motivation. Love is flotsam, it will keep you afloat until you reach a place of safety.

I honestly believe that love can even cover a bad method, or a method poorly executed. But being willing to submit (humility again) to God’s way (method), which includes His timing, is easier if your motivation is love, and not the need to be recognized or celebrated.

God said He would show us a “more perfect way”, a better method. And He has, He does, and He will. His method may not make sense, He may not show it to you all at once, but He promised that “He knows the plans He has for us” and we need to take comfort in His word, His ways, and His works. Find the flotsam of God and let it bring you safely to shore.