The Warship; Unprepared and Disengaged

The Warship Dream

I just want to share a vivid dream that I had in the early hours of the morning. 

(23rd July 2023).

In the dream, I was standing before an expansive warship. The ship was moored in a harbour alongside a wharf. I could see the land on one side, and the water extended out to sea on the other.

The unprepared and disengaged warship

I was then suddenly inside the ship, below the decks. I looked out through a porthole window on the waterside, and I could see enemy ships on the horizon heading towards the harbour. There were many ships in different colours and sizes advancing towards our location. But there was no response from any of the crew on the battleship.

Look out and see what is on the horizon!

There were no sirens or alarms. No one seemed to be around or aware of the urgency or gravity of the unfolding situation. No one was looking out or keeping watch.

I quickly opened the cabin door, and inside were crew members sleeping in their bunks or just lying on mattresses on the floor.

I opened their wardrobe, and their uniforms were neatly folded and stacked on shelves, but the crew were not wearing them. I tried to rush everyone to wake up, put on their clothes and get ready. I told them that the enemy was approaching, but they just lay in their beds or rolled over.

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Without solid leadership, there is no cohesive response to the dangers.

I opened a third room, and people were having sex. Their door was unlocked, and they didn't care. 

The warship crew were just engaged in whatever they wanted to do; their own pleasure, leisure, or focus of time and energy.

I opened another door, and people were just laughing. The crew members were showering. It seemed like they were just playing around, throwing water in the air, laughing and dancing about, and not really interested in the situation.

When the church is stuck in cruise ship mentality.

The entire ship was in the wrong position. The harbour may have seemed like a safe haven, a place to rest or enjoy some time off, but all on board were disengaged from their calling and purpose.

Instead of defending the harbour or responding to the threat, they continued to ignore and remain detached from the crisis. They failed to take responsibility to guard and protect.

I felt the weight and danger of what was approaching. I looked out again at the advancing enemy ships, and I thought to myself, they could destroy us at any moment with a missile or torpedo, and nobody is ready.

The entire battleship and the crew were not ready, positioned or engaged for attack or defence.

The ships are moving in closer.

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What Does This Mean?

I prayed and asked the Lord about this dream, as it was so vivid and detailed.

I was impressed by the reality that this warship is the church.

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Battleships Have a Specific Purpose

The battleship is a specific water vehicle, designed, created, and prepared for the task of naval war. It is equipped with weapons and knowledgeable and experienced combat specialists. It is uniquely set apart from other ships with the role of protecting the waters and coastlines. Its design enables it to travel strategically, maneuver and navigate, and it is constructed to withstand damage.

It is not a cruise ship for vacations, leisure, or pleasure, nor a fishing boat for harvesting or transporting a catch. Right now, the season is war!

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We like the fishing and the harvest, but we withdraw from the battle mandate.

Disengaged From The Calling

The grave and serious reality is that the church is not ready to engage. They have been through training, and the members own uniforms, but their clothes are still in the wardrobe, unworn and left unused on the shelves. They are not dressed, on deck, alert, or prepared to fight. The lack of response or readiness is alarming.

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Unprepared to Respond

There was no siren in the dream. There was no tannoy. There was no captain to give any instructions or leadership. There was no sound alerting anyone to arise and reposition themselves. Everybody was busy doing their own thing; engaged in sleeping or immorality, pleasure, or their own agenda, while the enemy was within plain sight and drawing closer.

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When Leadership Fails

The phrase "no captain at the helm" indicates a significant lack of leadership, direction, or accountability. It is often used to describe crises in politics, business, or organisations. This expression signifies a chaotic situation where decision-making has come to a standstill, leading to instability and uncertainty among those involved. Historically, this refers to a ship in danger because the person responsible for its safety is not in control.

"All Hands on Deck" is a cry or signal used on board a ship, in an emergency, to indicate that all crew members are to go on deck.

I felt God impressed that it was time to come out of this place of complacency. Somehow, I felt like a siren trying to wake up the sleeping.

These sleepy sailors are fully trained and have uniforms - their vital clothing which gives identity, unity, and shows their call, rank and purpose, but they are unprepared (and some may even be unwilling) to respond.

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All Hands on Deck

It's time to wake up and get up and off the ground. No more lying down.

"All Hands on Deck" is a naval idiom used to call all those on board a ship to respond to a crisis. It is a rally call requiring every member of the team to move and position themselves.

It's time to put on your uniform and report for duty NOW!

Those who are busy with their own pleasures and affections are distracted, disconnected, and disengaged. It is time to wake up and return to your rank, role and position.

Get back on deck! - "It is war, and you are not ready!"

Return to the positions assigned to you - We need the whole team ready!

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