Imagine God handing a little boy a toy sailboat, whispering in the child’s ear. A calling. A private moment of instruction. A tender promise.

The child is thrilled, takes the sailboat, and giggles as he races to the nearby stream. There is no doubting the boat’s ability to sail. No fear that it will sink. The child trusts the One who made the boat and handed it over to him.

Only, there are others at the stream.

Other children shove the boy, telling him he doesn’t belong at “their” stream. They call him names, tell him he doesn’t know how to sail anything. They laugh at him. They make fun of his sailboat.

The little boy is heartbroken. He doesn’t understand. He considers abandoning the toy in the mud. Only, he hears his heavenly Father’s voice calling out:

Keep going.

The little boy wipes his tear-streaked cheeks with the back of his hand and rests his boat in the water, ignoring the taunts. Another child stomps his foot in front of the boy’s boat, stopping it from moving freely downstream and splattering mud on the little boy’s face. Someone peppers his back and his hair with gravel while another shove pushes him into the mud.

But another channel opens – the water won’t be stopped. Not by the child’s foot. Not by rocks that fall in the way. Not even when others step in and kick the water. The water is diverted. It still flows, still finds a way to the pond.

And the sailboat follows.

The child watches, whispers to the One who gave him the boat, knowing He is close. He remembers what his heavenly Father told him. He doesn’t need to understand the boat or the stream. He doesn’t fear it won’t reach the pond. He doesn’t worry about the other children throwing rocks at his boat, trying to sink it, or tossing mean words at him.

He just wants to please His heavenly Father. He wants to see Him smile. He wants to hear, “Well done.”

The boy covers his mouth, stifling a giggle as the boat reaches beyond the stream, past the pond, and far into the sea. New tears come. He did it. He did what the Father told him to do.

Suddenly, his heavenly Father is close again, His hand resting on the boy’s shoulder, whispering, “Well done.” The little boy beams as his Father wipes the mud from his face, pulling pebbles from his hair.

This was never about sailing. The boy sees that now.

It wasn’t about being the fastest or the best at the stream. It wasn’t about imitating how others sailed their boats. It was never about getting ahead by discouraging others or simply by being mean.

It has always been for this moment. Feeling the Father’s hand on his shoulder, hearing He is pleased, and watching with Him as the small boat bearing the name “Courage” carries the message intended to travel the world, reaching those who need to remember.

“Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 WEB.)