This time of the year in Southern Maryland the majority of people are getting their boats ready to put in the water.
I remember one year my husband and I worked hard to get our boat ready. We cleaned her up, got rid of the junk that had blown in over the winter and tested the engine to make sure she was going to run without any breakdowns.
The day finally came, and we put her in the water to test her out. She began to sink. We forgot to put the plug in. Fortunately, for us, she was partially still on the trailer, and we were able to pull her up and out.
This process is a lot like our walk with God during our refining. We get cleaned up, rid the junk, and a preliminary test of the engine is performed before you are launched into ministry or to serve the Lord.
The primary thing to remember is after this process; and prayer, you keep the plug-in.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58