“We’re gonna need a bigger boat” – The Significance of Insignificance.

So, you’ve finally pushed your little boat out into the deep waters where God is leading you and it feels good. That book you’ve always wanted to write, the one that you’ve prayed about, put off, told your best friend about and procrastinated over is finally ready to set sail.

However, your first feeling is not all the opportunities and potential your writing is able to bring as you move through the uncharted waters. It isn’t the sense that your writing will help many, many people. No, the first feeling you feel is fear. Fear that you’re little boat which is your writing project is just too insignificant to make a significant impact on the world.

Martin Brody wasn’t kidding when he said, “We’re gonna need a bigger boat” in the movie, Jaws. A police chief who hated the ocean but decided that the great white wasn’t going to take another victim. Not on his watch. So he decided to go out with the scientist and the shark catcher into the deep murky waters of the vast ocean and take on the 7-metre long shark which had instigated fear into the whole community. However, when Brody actually sees “Jaws” he suddenly realises the little fishing boat they are in is far too insignificant to catch the monster with a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth.

As writers, we too can be afraid of the great white lurking in the deep. Like Brody, we realise that we are gonna need a bigger boat pretty quickly when we face the shark of fear. But here’s a little secret; God will do His most significant work when you’re feeling the most insignificant. Look at the crucifixion of Jesus. How could an insignificant wooden cross be used by God to fulfil the purpose of why Jesus came to earth? The Jews were waiting for the messiah to come and overthrow the Roman Empire by using force, not die a criminal’s death. To them, it wasn’t significant enough. But the truth is that the significance of the cross was in its insignificance.

There’s something we can all learn from the character, Martin Brody. He learned that he didn’t need a bigger boat to catch the great white shark. He just needed to have the confidence that the little fishing boat would get the job done. Exodus 4:2 reminds us to, ‘use what is in your hand’ and Luke 16:10 says to be, ‘faithful in the little things’. God sees how faithful you have been in your writing endeavours. He sees the hours you have put in to keep your little boat afloat. He watches how you handle the currents of uncertainty and sends the wind so it catches your sails. Believe that God can use what we deem as insignificant and turn it into something of worth and significance.

1 Corinthians 1:28-29 says that’ He chose the lowly, the laughable in the world’s eyes-nobodies-so that he would shame the somebodies. For he chose what is regarded as insignificant in order to supersede what is regarded as prominent so that there would be no place for prideful boasting in God’s presence.’

God knew that if you started out with a bigger boat it could lead to an even bigger ego which is then pushed along by the winds of false modesty that guide you toward the rocky coastline of pride far quicker than a great white smelling blood. So, He lets you learn the qualities of strength, wisdom, passion and potential as you go through the water, pointing your little boat in the direction it needs to be.

So, take a leap of faith and launch out into the deep waters of your calling. Believe that God can use your little boat to live a life of significance. Trust in God’s anointing as you write for Him. Because when you’re faithful with the small things, God will happily give you a bigger boat!

Wendy xo