The Quality of My Ship

When you think ship you think of a large seagoing vessel, however, let's move beyond that for a moment, we'll come back to that idea, for now consider the suffix "-ship". As in words like, fellowship and relationship for example, one of the meanings you will find for the suffix as defined by Webster's Dictionary, is "1: state : condition : quality". If we look at the word "relationship", when we consider our relationship with God the Father the root word "relation" is defined as follows.

Relation - an aspect or quality that connects two or more things or parts as being or belonging or working together or as being of the same kind

Therefore, my relationship with God, deals with the state, condition, and quality of my connection with Him. It examines how we work together and the state of us being "of the same kind".

Now, understanding fellowship, also makes for and interesting study. A fellow is a person who is equal in rank, power, or character. Applying the suffix "-ship" would mean that fellowship with God examines the quality and condition of the equality in rank, power and character that we have with God. In 1 John 1:3 it states "…truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. If we sub in the definition we understand the condition of our equality in rank, power and character is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. That breathes consistency to what it says in Phil 2:5-6 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God". Even the Webster's definition of the word fellowship as company of equals or friends.

But wait…it gets better. If you define the word fellowship in 1 John 1:3, in the Greek language of which it was written you will find that the Greek word for fellowship is "koinonia" which means; fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, and intercourse (i.e the exchanging of thoughts and feelings). 1Chron. 1:9 says that "…you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." That's good news, we are called into the state of equal rank, power and character of Jesus Christ. So I guess you can say membership has its privileges.

Looking back at the term "Relationship with God", in short you can say it is the quality and condition of our connection with God. As an artist (vocalist, songwriter, producer etc.), my question would be what does all this have to do with music. The Father, quickly replied with a question to answer my question, "Does your music or the music you listen to enhance the quality and condition of your connection with God?" Does it push your toward improving the state of your equality, joint participation, and intimacy with God?

I am challenged today to think on this, a ship is a large seagoing vessel. If you focus on the word vessel, you find that a vessel is a container for holding something, and ships are usually carrying something, weather it is people or cargo. Questions: Do I hold, posses, and carry a quality connection with God? Do I uphold equal rank, power, and the character of God? Do I travel and carry with me constant communion with God, is He a joint participant and do I bear a consistent exchanging of thoughts and feeling with Him.

It's a selah moment, so chew on it!

Ed Grice
Ephesians Six Ten Productions